Meet withlocal people who live with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FM/CFS). We discuss, share, laugh, and conquer the misconceptions regarding these disabling conditions of FM/CFS and other diseases that may arise from FM/CFS. This group has been set up to be a "closed group" to create an atmosphere of security, trust, and comfort. Your spouse or significant other is always welcome to join you at our meetings if you wish.  We have found that your support person will have a better understanding about you as well as what we do at our group meetings, therefore, it can increase the amount of support a member receives from his or her support person.

Our meetings are held at USF at the Morsani Center in a private room.  We use a general discussion format at the meetings.  What to expect for your first meeting?  You will be greeted with our name tag box and asked to make a name tag for yourself.  (This is one of our ways to recycle.)  You may find a seat at our table that is set up in a large square so everyone can see each other.  We have a coffee table that includes coffee, decaf, and hot tea.  There usually is some kind of food to snack.   We try to keep it healthy but you will see brownies come through now and then.  You are welcome to bring your own drink if you prefer. The chairs in the room aren't too bad, but some members bring a cushion and/or a back rest.  Please bring whatever keeps you comfortable.  Although our meeting starts at 3:00 P.M., we formally sit down at 3:30 P.M.  The thirty minutes is used to get the coffee table finished, chat with others, and mostly wait for members who are running behind.  (This is almost expected with our disorder.)  If we have a guest speaker it will be noted on the web site.  Although we usually have a specific subject to discuss, sometimes the discussions take a turn to something else that comes up.  We keep it pretty loose so to meet the needs of the members.   

We meet the first and third Sunday at 3:00 PM.  The months that have five Sundays we create a social event.  They are a lot of fun and family and friends are welcome.

Although our membership is high, the meeting turn-outs are no reflection.  We average between 12-18 members at most meetings.  We all understand how difficult it is to get up and out of the house some days. If you are looking for a place that supports feeling better, then you will not want to miss a meeting. If you are looking for a group that mopes about problems then this may not be the meeting place for you. Please, do what you can to try out at least one meeting to see if you gain more benefits from attending than if you had chosen to rest in bed. You may be surprised! 

FYI -After a new member signs up with our group he or she has up to three months to attend a meeting before being removed from the group.  This rule also applies to all members; if any member goes three months without coming to at least one meeting, heror she will be removed from the group.

"It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."
-- Alan Cohen