From Melanie Woodruff (fmilypals@moorheadcity.com)

Imagine a life where you look fine. No one seeing you would ever imagine the pain you live in each and every day.

Imagine going from doctor to doctor seeking an answer, a cure, some hope. Only to be told that there's nothing they can do.

Imagine not being able to work anymore due to living in Chronic Pain. Imagine the stigma attached to that.

Imagine friends and loved ones starting to avoid you because they don't understand. How can one understand what they don't see or feel?

Then imagine that over 10 million Americans also are going through the same thing you are.

And that number is on the rise .....

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, along with related symptoms of these disorders are considered "Invisible Disorders". We no longer want them to be invisible. We want and severely need more research and awareness.

If you were one of these people who suffer from such illnesses as FMS, CFIDS, MPS and MCS you would hope that the Government was doing all it could to help find a cure, or at least relief. But to your dismay you discover that monies appropriated for research in these illnesses are at the lowest of all the diseases being researched.

On May 11, 2002 there will be a Walk For Awareness in Washington DC. Our petition will be presented to members of Congress as well as the Our Voices web page. (http://our-voices.50megs.com) For more information about this walk, please contact Melanie Woodruff at the following email address: fmilypals@moorheadcity.com

It is our hope to be able to show Congress the importance of research towards a cure for our illnesses. We want our lives back. Our jobs back. We want to be able to play with our children, hold our grandchildren or even just receive a hug from our loved ones without feeling the pain a simple touch can inflict. Won't you help us get our voices heard by taking a moment to sign our petition?

http://gopetition.com

Sincerely yours,
Melanie Woodruff