There’s a new complex chronic disease clinic in Vancouver that will conduct research and support doctors and patients dealing with illnesses like ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) which is wonderful news. The clinic has a chance to win a $150,000 grant for medical equipment from the Aviva Community Fund. There’s also a current petition to encourage the federal government to fund more ME research.
Between Dec 3-12: Hit the “Vote Now” button and vote!
Vote for “Medical equipment for a new chronic diseases clinic in Vancouver”. The clinic serves people with ME, FM, MCS and Lyme disease. The clinic could win up to a $150,000 grant for medical equipment.
Each registrant gets 15 votes total, but can only vote for a particular cause once a day. So you could vote a maximum of 10 times for the clinic.
Please also sign the petition to Canada’s Health Minister to fund research for people with ME. From that site: “Canadian research funding for ME/CFS in the last 10 years equals to 6 cents per patient per year for this disease.”
ME or Myalgic encephalomyelitis is recognized as a disabling nervous system disease, according to the World Health Organization classification of diseases. There is no cure, the cause of the illness is still unknown and there are no treatments–only symptom management.
Some experts in the field of ME/CFS say that this disease is just as disabling as progressive multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure or late stage AIDS.
The 2010 Community Health Survey calculated that over 411,000 Canadians have the disease, 23% more than in 2005 and a staggering 205% more than in 2001.
No medical specialty is embracing this disease, resulting in patients left to their own devices or with a general practitioner who does not have the knowledge or time to deal with patients with this complex disease.
Patients are often stigmatized, largely because of the misleading and inadequate other name for the disease: chronic fatigue syndrome. Many people living busy lives can feel fatigued. People living with ME feel sick, fatigue being only one aspect of the illness.
Interest in researching ME is increasing and much work has been done in the last decade or so, but funding for research remains inadequate and imbalanced compared to other chronic illnesses.
Do you have an opinion about the impact of canine friendship on the lives of people with disabilities/chronic health conditions? A new research project called “The Role of Dogs” is seeking input from people with disabilities living with service dogs OR PET DOGS as well as non-dog owners.
This study is being conducted by a research group at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. If you have questions, contact Mariko Yamamoto, PhD at maryamamoto@ucdavis.edu.
To participate in the anonymous survey you must be 18 years or older and either:
1) a person with a disability OTHER than visual or hearing disabilities, or
2) a family member of service dog partners
For this study, service dogs are defined as “dogs that have received specific training to assist their partners with disabilities other than visual or hearing disabilities.”
Media Release
For immediate release
October 4, 2012
Survey Finds One-in-Four Lower Mainland Residents Know Someone Homeless in Past Five Years
(Vancouver, B.C.) Today, in preparation for the Seventh Annual Homelessness Action Week
(Oct 7 – 13), the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness released Community Values: A Public Opinion Survey About Homelessness in Metro Vancouver, setting out the results of its first ever public opinion survey on homelessness.
“There were some surprises for us in this survey including the fact that nearly one in four residents claim to know someone who is either currently homeless or has been homeless in the last five years,” commented Alice Sundberg, Co-chair of the Regional Steering Committee. “While empathy is increasing, residents are not satisfied with the rate of progress throughout the region. Affordable housing is seen as a top priority.”
Seventy-one percent say they agree with the idea that it is possible to have a community in which there will be a home for everyone that chooses to have one but a majority (54%) said housing in their community should be there for the people who can afford it.
“The majority of residents think job training and employment opportunities are the preferred way to address Aboriginal homelessness.” noted Patrick Stewart, Chair of the AHSC. “Thirty-two percent see culturally appropriate programs and services for Aboriginal people are as an important solution.”
“Youth homelessness has been a priority for Vancouver Foundation for four years,” said Vancouver Foundation President and CEO, Faye Wightman. “And so we are pleased that people see this as a serious issue. The findings suggest less understanding of the pathways to homelessness for young people, including youth transitioning out of care. We know these youth are particularly vulnerable to homelessness which is why we are now focusing our work on youth who are transitioning out of government care.”
The survey was conducted from September 10 to 12, 2012 by Angus Reid Public Opinion and included 1,006 randomly selected adults in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. The geographic distribution of participants
About Homelessness Action Week
Homelessness Action Week, is in its seventh year, and is organized by the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness. The week focuses on increasing awareness and action around homelessness and promotes events for including Homeless Connect Events (service fairs for people who are homeless) and public events (like film nights) and a public awareness campaign focused on strengthening community. Over 50 events are posted on the ‘community calendar’ pages at www.stophomelessness.ca
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Key Findings Backgrounder Available
For information and interviews contact:
Helesia Luke, Co-ordinator Homelessness Action Week
Office: 778.786.2838 | Cell: 778.858.0553
From Out On Screen's website: "Amyn, Alison, Lyle, Noah, Peter, and Brian are each on unique journeys of love, acceptance, self-empowerment, and family but share
WORLD PREMIERE. Six queer people with intellectual disabilities find belonging in Vancouver. Directed by Rheanna Toy. Official Selection for VQFF 2025. Documentary | Social Justice
There’s a new complex chronic disease clinic in Vancouver that will conduct research and support doctors and patients dealing with illnesses like ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) which is wonderful news. The clinic has a chance to win a $150,000 grant for medical equipment from the Aviva Community Fund. There’s also a current petition to encourage the federal government to fund more ME research.
