MEBC is here to help people with ME/FM and their families:

• to help with the emotional, relational and financial tolls these diseases have;
• to help find for good medical care, practical support, and legal and disability advocacy; and
• to effectively inform the public, medical community and government.

Our web site, newsletter, phone line, and support groups are ways to provide such support.

MEBC is also working to establishing practical support services and advocacy:

• a protocol for "Independent" Medical Examinations,
• effective relationships with lawyers, health providers and government,
• an Environmental Illness Clinic and Residence as well as affordable Home Care Services.

Most MEBC Board Members, Support Group Leaders and Volunteers have ME/FM. Accomplishing these goals is taxing and takes us time, but if we each do a little we can eventually accomplish a lot!

Support Groups

Support groups are a key way to find emotional and social support in dealing with your disease. Besides the understanding you will receive from others who know what it's like to have ME/FM, you will be able to share your experiences with one another regarding what is helpful and where in your community you can find the medical, practical and legal support you need.

MEBC Support Groups exist in the following communities listed by region. For contact numbers, please Contact Us first. We will put you in touch with the Support Group Leader in your community.

We also have contacts for Children / Youth, Parents, Teachers and Nurses dealing with ME/FM.

Various support groups have established educational materials in their local libraries. The communities listed with an *, have materials in their local libraries. Just ask your local Reference Librarian for help.

Okanagan

Kelowna

Vernon*

Armstrong

Kootenays

Castlegar Nelson*

Kimberly/ Cranbrook

Trail Creston*

Northern B.C.

Prince George* Vanderhoof

Dawson Creek Fort St. John

Terrace

Lower Mainland

Vancouver* (west side and west end) North Vancouver*/West Vancouver Sechelt Richmond Delta White Rock Surrey

Burnaby*/New Westminster Coquitlam/Port Moody* Port Coquitlam/Pitt Meadows Maple Ridge Langley Abbotsford*/Mission Chilliwack*

Vancouver Island

Nanaimo

Victoria -has it's own ME Society call 1-888-543-2666

Gabriola Island

Advocacy, Telephone and E-mail Support

If you have questions about, or information regarding, anything to do with ME or FM, including:

• support groups and medical resources in your community;
• applying for BC Disability, CPP Disability, handling appeals;
• dealing with your insurance company, employer or union;
• "Independent" Medical Exams and "Insurance Doctors";
• finding practical and financial help or a good lawyer, please contact us.

Please be patient in waiting for a reply. Your contact is important to us, but please bear in mind that most volunteers handling your enquiries have ME/FM. We do our best to pace ourselves, and can only respond when our bodies allow.