It's a fine day, so once again I've dug the tricycle out, to cycle to my first engagement of the day - a coffee morning at Wych Elm organised by the local group for people with fibromyalgia. I arrive at about eleven, and the event is in full swing.
I've read a little bit about the condition before going along, and it certainly sounds like something I wouldn't want to experience - muscle pain, fatigue, interrupted sleep patterns, poor concentration and memory, and irritable bowel syndrome.
In some ways, it seems similar to ME or lupus; and I've known people with both, and how wearing it is to have to struggle with a chronic condition, especially when some in the medical profession tell you there's nothing wrong with you.
The local group is small, but keen to reach out and help more people with the condition in and around Harlow. They're affiliated to the national Fibromyalgia Association UK but receive no local funding to support their activities, other than what they raise from their members - and they'd love to be able to hire a room once a month rather than meet in each other's houses. I tell them about some of the organisations they can approach either for funds, or for advice on where else to apply.
I'm given a very welcome cup of coffee, and have a brief opportunity to chat with some of the members of the group. Their stories are illuminating - one telling me she accidentally threw a knife across the kitchen during one of the muscle spasms that she gets; another that she has to follow a 'sleep hygiene' routine that requires her not to sleep in the day, however tired she feels, so that she doesn't have a disturbed night as well ('but it still doesn't work', she adds).
I draw the first ticket in the raffle, which is won by Tom - who, incidentally, tells me a very interesting story about the mayoral chain I'm wearing. I also have the unenviable task of awarding gold and silver medals to two little girls who've taken part in the colouring competition - they're sisters, so whichever I prefer as the overall winner there'll be tears before bedtime!
I'd have loved to have stayed, but I have to do some errands at Sainsbury's before heading home, as I have to be at Church Langley for half past twelve and there's no way I'm doing that journey on the tricycle, especially in this heat - you could already stop traffic with the colour of my face.
I really hope the group finds the funds it needs to provide the support it wants to offer to people with fibromyalgia. If you live in Harlow and you've got fibromyalgia, or care for someone who has, and want to find out more, do email the group - they'd be delighted to hear from you.
