Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Awareness Day
WHEREAS over 568,000 men, women and children in Ontario live with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a neurological and autoimmune disease with no known cure. It is characterized by overwhelming fatigue and chronic symptoms that inhibit a person’s ability to work and perform routine everyday tasks.
For those living with Fibromyalgia, a disease characterized by severe pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons, the pain can become so severe that it prevents the individual from working or engaging in any physical activity.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, also referred to as Environmental Sensitivities or Intolerance, are initiated by an unusually severe sensitivity or allergy-like reaction in individuals when exposed to a number of different pollutants such as chemicals, perfumes and other environmental triggers.
On May 12, communities across Ontario will join the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario to raise public awareness, educate the medical profession, raise funds for necessary services and end the stigma and discrimination that accompanies these diseases.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Rob Ford, on behalf of Toronto City Council, do hereby proclaim May 12, 2013 as “Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Awareness Day“in the City of Toronto.
Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution 
I cured myself of CFS in 2005 by following Dr. Garth Nicolson’s advice on the internet. This involved antibiotics for 6 months.
That’s great Steve! Not everyone is so lucky. I seem to remember though that you still have MCS and have been requesting disability related accommodations.
Having these dx’s doesn’t necessarily doom us to a life of misery, especially if we can access good health-care and understanding of the causes and conditions as much as possible in the early days… big ones being avoidance of toxic/petro-chemicals and moldy indoor environments, eat good non-GMO food, deal with any infections or parasites, make sure it’s not Lyme Disease and if it is, get that treated (antibiotics right away usually treat that effectively)… but the longer it takes to get a proper diagnosis, the longer we are exposed to harmful substances, the more harm gets done to our bodies and the harder it is to heal.
Oh man, we need a day like this in the U.S!
There have been many! Here is where you can find a list of past and current ones: http://mcs-america.org/index_files/proclamations.htm
It usually takes someone who is willing to contact the relevant local or state offices, provide them with the research and request a Proclamation (usually on an organization’s letterhead). Best to start a few months in advance as they can be slow vetting things.
Gee, I want to go to live in Toronto. Or at least go there for a holiday! I’m seriously, serious… Are their any fragrance free hotels? I know, you don’t exactly frequent them. But I’m just asking :)
No, you do NOT want to go live in Toronto if you have MCS. The air quality is terrible.