Professional Education & Clinical Practice Tools Policy Brief - Community Edition

Summer's social calendar can feel like a minefield when you're managing chronic illness. Just as you've figured out how to keep your body cool, you're faced with a different kind of heat: social pressure. Family barbecues, outdoor weddings, patio dinners, and weekend festivals all come with the unspoken expectation that summer equals participation. But for people with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, or Long COVID, summer social events can trigger serious symptom flares that last for da

At the ME|FM Society of BC, we know first-hand how challenging it can be to get a diagnosis and receive appropriate care for ME, FM, and Long-COVID. Many people in British Columbia face long delays—often years—before being diagnosed, partly because these illnesses are complex and not always well understood by healthcare providers. This post is designed to help you prepare for medical appointments, communicate effectively with your doctor, and advocate for the care you deserve

Emergency care is meant to be a safety net—a place to turn when symptoms escalate or a crisis hits. But for individuals living with ME , FM, or Long-COVID , visits to the ER can often feel more like an uphill battle than a lifeline. This post explores the unique challenges our community faces in emergency settings, shares lived experiences from across British Columbia, and offers practical tools to help prepare for and navigate these often difficult situations. Ongoing Strugg

Welcome back, myth-busters! In our second installment of the 'Dispelling Myths' campaign, we're diving deeper into the intricate world of ME/CFS and Long-COVID. Today, we're tackling two prevalent misconceptions that often leave patients feeling misunderstood and frustrated. Ever heard someone say, 'If you could do it yesterday, why can't you do it today?' or 'Isn't that just a middle-aged woman's condition?' Buckle up as we challenge these oversimplifications and shed light

BC Women's Hospital Complex Chronic Diseases Program presents a position statement regarding Functional Capacity Evaluations for people living with ME/CFS. “Healthcare providers need to keep in mind that when patients with ME/CFS exceed their individual capacities, PEM and serious deterioration of function may result”. "Based on current guidance from major institutions..., FCEs are not recommended for assessment of functioning in individuals with a diagnosis of ME/CFS." Read

Guardian columnist George Monbiot says in his opinion piece that "the outdated treatment of ME/CFS patients is a national scandal". Read this compelling article here . Trigger Warning: this article may bring up issues if you have had negative medical experiences.

BC Housing gives housing priority to applicants whose situation is urgent due to a health condition, domestic violence, or homelessness. BC Disability provides steps you can take if you have circumstances that make it especially pressing for you to get housing, including the use of the Supplemental Application Form . For more information, click here . "Navigating The System - BC Housing" is about halfway down the resulting webpage.

"I feel like this series is a life-line for people with ME or Long-COVID who are faced with healthcare and social support systems that provide so little access to knowledgeable help and meaningful support." Christina Wiebe Our new educational series, including 12+ helpful, informative modules, is now being sent directly, by email, to people across the province. Information is fact-based, up-to-date, and developed by experts, patients and caregivers. Includes friendly, easy

For an audio version of this article, click on the red SoundCloud arrow. Introduction and diagnosis Symptom management and referral ME W ebinar for physicians Complex Chronic Diseases Program FAQ page In order to support you with your primary care provider, our website hosts information on Introduction and diagnosis and Symptom management and referral . This information is aimed at health care providers. Our Introduction and Diagnosis page contains links to The National

For an audio version of this article, click on the red SoundCloud arrow on the right. Applicable links My MLA and ME program L etter to Minister Dix and Ministry of Health staff We continue to advocate for all British Columbians living with ME in our ongoing communications with sitting MLAs, Health Minister Dix and Ministry of Health staff. In addition to our successful and ongoing My MLA and ME program, we also communicate our concerns in other ways. As demonstrated in

We have found two new helpful resources to share this week: 1) ME/CFS Survival Guidebook: The Art of Living with ME/CFS 2) Facets of ME: A launch of a new education series of the multiple aspects of living and managing ME/CFS 1) ME/CFS Crash Survival Guidebook: The Art of Living with ME/CFS The guidebook can be viewed online, downloaded, or printed – in color or black and white. This guidebook is designed for patients, for those allies supporting patients and for medical p