[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FIBROMYLAGIA AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK FOLEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2002

  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for the 
National Fibromylagia Association and to recognize May 12, 2002 as 
Fibromylagia Awareness Day. This year alone, over 10 million Americans 
will be diagnosed with Fibromylagia, a disease of which there is no 
known cure.
  Fibromylagia is a chronic illness which causes fatigue and 
debilitating pain in women, men and children of all ages and races. 
Patients with this illness often have to learn to live with widespread 
pain throughout their bodies; extreme fatigue; sleep disorders; 
stiffness and weakness; migraine headaches; numbness and tingling; 
impairment of memory and concentration.
  As with many diseases of this type, medical professionals frequently 
are inadequately educated on Fibromylagia diagnosis and treatment. What 
is worse, children and young adults with the disease not only suffer 
from the illness, but also from the lack of understanding and social 
acceptance. Others with the disease may be discriminated against at 
work, by friends or family. Developing a greater understanding of this 
disease will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with 
Fibromylagia.
  I am proud to recognize the needs of the National Fibromylagia 
Association and to acknowledge May 12, 2002 as Fibromylagia Awareness 
Day in Palm Beach Gardens. I urge all of our citizens to support the 
search for a cure and help those individuals and families who deal with 
this devastating disease on a daily basis.

                          ____________________