Declare Fibromyalgia Awareness Week

Senate Resolution No. 1368 BY: Senator LITTLE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 5-12, 2019, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States, and an estimated 3-6 percent of the world's population, have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, (FM), an illness for which there is yet no known cause or cure; and WHEREAS, A chronic syndrome that is increasing at alarming rates, Fibromyalgia causes debilitating widespread pain and fatigue, appears to have a genetic component, and occurs in women, men, and children of all ethnicities; and WHEREAS, Patients with Fibromyalgia often have to learn to live with widespread pain throughout their bodies, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, numbness and tingling, and impairment of memory and concentration; and WHEREAS, It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated regarding the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia; and WHEREAS, A 2007 study found that FM patients spend between $100-$1,000 per month above insurance costs to see healthcare providers; costs in the United States are estimated between $12-$14 billion per year and account for loss of 1-2% of the nation's productivity; and WHEREAS, According to a survey of 1,168 FM patients, total healthcare costs may be 2-3 times higher than patients without FM; in another study published by the American College of Rheumatology, of

2,321 patients surveyed, 34.8% received Social Security Disability benefits; failure to diagnose and adequately treat Fibromyalgia has deep financial implications for patients and for the healthcare system; and WHEREAS, According to a Fact Sheet provided by the National Fibromyalgia Association, 90% of physicians agree there is a need for more physician oriented information, and 82% of physicians agree that FM is difficult to treat with currently available tools; use of complementary and alternative medicine is 2 1?2 times higher in FM patients; and WHEREAS, Patients report that the optimal approach to treating Fibromyalgia is a Team of Physicians, and traditional and complementary therapists, tailoring the treatment for each individual patient; this can be accomplished best in an arrangement that facilitates communication between the patient and the Team; awareness events need to be expanded that will continue to promote understanding and support within the broader community; and WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc., a nonprofit charitable organization in the Capital District of New York, is dedicated to empowering all who face discrimination as a result of race, gender, socio-economic status, age, disabilities, and lifestyle choices; and WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients are often misunderstood by the medical, business, and education communities, primarily due to the lack of teaching in medical schools about what is known regarding this potentially disabling illness; and WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia patients often lose jobs, insurance, homes, and spouses or significant others due to lack of awareness and understanding about the potentially devastating impact of Fibromyalgia; and WHEREAS, The International Institute For Human Empowerment, under the leadership of Sue Shipe, PhD, developed the Fibromyalgia Task Force to address inequities in the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia patients due to lack of adequate education of physicians regarding this illness; and WHEREAS, The Fibromyalgia Task Force wishes to honor Beth Yoxthimer, Physical Therapist, founder of the Integrative Pain Program at St. Peter's Hospital, for providing innovative and outstanding pain management services for over 20 years for patients living with chronic pain, including Fibromyalgia; and WHEREAS, Patients benefit from her intensive study of pain management, and her Clinical Practice using integrative therapies; patients can participate in her in-person and online Chronic Pain Support Groups, as well as receive Physical Therapy including aqua therapy and integrative manual therapy; and WHEREAS, The Fibromyalgia Task Force expresses deep appreciation to Beth Yoxthimer, PT, and recognizes her commitment to continuous learning through her Certification in Pain Management, her membership in The American Academy of Pain Management, and her work using integrative therapies; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chronically ill people who suffer from Fibromyalgia, and urges all of our citizens to support the search for more effective treatments, prevention, and a cure, for those individuals and families who deal with this devastating syndrome on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 5-12, 2019, as Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York; International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.; The Center For Rheumatology; and St. Peter's Integrative Pain Program.