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Posted 4/10/2012 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
**This post has been approved by Peter Waite, Founder and CEO of HealingWell.com LLC**

My name is Janice Kerrigan. I have had fibro for over 20 years, and have been a member of Healingwell.com since 2010. I am asking you to please assist me in improving the lives of all who suffer with this condition.

I am inviting you to participate in a research study on how people with fibro benefit from belonging to online support groups. Thanks to all of you, my life has tremendously improved. I no longer hear my husband and son eating dinner in the kitchen, longing to be able to sit with them. You all have given me ideas on how to live with fibromyalgia, how to cope with being stigmatized by doctors and some family members who were convinced I was a fake, and so many other issues that we face every day. I have been able to return to college, which is what brought me to conducting this research study.

I wish to advocate for improved disability resources, better relations with the medical community, and anything else we need in order to live better lives.

The survey is completely anonymous. Absolutely no personal information will be collected, including your IP address. Anybody who reads this invitation and has fibromyalgia symptoms is welcome to participate, whether you actively share with the group or not.

Please, consider participating in this study. You can be part of the needed change on how the world sees us. The study is in no way connected to Healingwell.com. The support you receive from this group will not change, whether you participate or not.

Below are two links. One takes you directly to the questionnaire. There are 28 multiple-choice questions and an open area for you to type in any thoughts or feelings. You do not have to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable. The second is a detailed statement of informed consent. You may read this if you chose, but do not have to.

Thank you for taking an interest in this study.

Sincerely,
Janice

Questionnaire:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/Fibro2012

Consent Statement:
/www.surveymonkey.com/s/FibroConsent









Posted 4/10/2012 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Janice,

I will do the study shortly but wanted to say that I think what you're doing is fantastic. I love that you are advocating for people with health issues and as a Social Worker, I too firmly believe in the importance of advocacy and if we don't advocate for ourselves, who will? I hope to one day work with those suffering Chronic Health issues and support and assist them as I've been supported by you and many others on this forum.

All the best with the research.

Warm regards Lou
Posted 4/12/2012 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting survey, Janice, well done. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to participate and contribute. Best of luck to you :)

blessings and peace
Posted 4/14/2012 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Lou and angelfeather,

Thank you for your kind words. Healingwell has given me so much. It is an honor to have an opportunity to ask all of you to participate in this study.

Take care,
Janice
Posted 4/29/2012 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone,

Thank you to all who responded so far. Between HealingWell and some other online groups, there are 50 responses! That is a lot for the short time the survey has been available. I will do my best to advocate for us. If more doctors believe in fibro, there is a better chance they will find a cure.

The survey is still open, in case anyone else is interested. Eventually I will post results.

Take care,
Janice
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