New book: Dissonant Disabilities: Women with Chronic Illnesses Explore their Lives

Whether it is fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, bipolar disorder, arthritis or many other chronic illnesses, most women are aware of at least one female friend, family member or acquaintance who has faced these illnesses.

Anecdotally, women's stories have always circulated, but now, for the first time, Diane Driedger and Michelle Owen have compiled experiences of women with chronic illnesses from all over the world shedding light on the discrimination, stigma, power struggles, misunderstanding by medical professionals and relationship challenges that women face.

Driedger and Owen, themselves women with chronic illnesses, launched their book, Dissonant Disabilities: Women with Chronic Illnesses Explore their Lives at Ryerson University on May 30th, 2008.

"Chronic illnesses are definitely a women's issue. Many illnesses such as depression, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and multiple sclerosis affect women more than men. And it goes without saying that since it is mostly women who occupy the lowest rungs of the hierarchy, it is they who become sick trying to 'do it all' and it is women who are not believed and discounted when they get sick," says Diane Driedger, one of the book's editors.

Professors, students, professionals, psychologists, writers...women with chronic illnesses come together to understand their place in a society which more and more values work and productivity, and devalues sickness and fatigue.

Certain to ring a bell with those familiar with women facing these illnesses, the anthology uses personal experiences and academic research to put women's chronic illness in a social perspective.

"Because of shame, ignorance or fear of repercussions personally and professionally, women with these illnesses often do not disclose and struggle in silence instead. Unlike some physical disabilities which are visible, the needs of women with chronic illnesses are often discounted or overlooked completely," says Bonnie Brayton, National Executive Director of the DisAbled Women's Network of Canada, "This book is important as it creates an opportunity for open dialogue on an issue faced by thousands of women in Canada. This is the first step towards understanding and finally properly accommodating the needs of women with chronic illnesses in our society.

Diane Driedger is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and author of The Last civil Rights Movement: Disabled Peoples' International. A published poet, she is the co-editor of two anthologies by women with disabilities.

Michelle Owen is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Winnipeg. Her primary research interests and publications include gender, sexuality, family and disability. Most recently, Owen worked on two projects involving women with disabilities: a longitudinal study of intimate partner violence, and a participatory action research on violence in the lives of girls and young women.

Publisher: Canadian Scholar's Press Inc, Women's Press
ISBN: 978-0-88961-464-2
Price: $36.95
Format: 200pp PB 6x9
www.dawncanada.net

PatientsLikeMe.com: Online community of patients, doctors, and organizations

PatientsLikeMe.com was launched in 2004 by "three MIT engineers." It is described as:

a privately funded company dedicated to making a difference in the lives of patients diagnosed with life-changing diseases. Our personal experiences with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) inspired us to create a community of patients, doctors, and organizations that inspires, informs, and empowers individuals. We're committed to providing patients with access to the tools, information, and experiences that they need to take control of their disease.

For more, visit: http://www.patientslikeme.com

Presentation: Going home alone: Managing chronic illness following short term hospitalization

Time sensitive
EVENT: February 27, 2008
RSVP: RSVP by February 22nd, with an indication of how you plan to participate (location or WebEx).

The NEXUS Research Unit and the BC Rural and Remote Health Research Network are pleased to present - "Going home alone: Managing chronic illness following short term hospitalization" by Sandra Lauck (NEXUS Trainee).

This presentation will be video-conferenced to UBC-Okanagan. If there is sufficient interest it will also be video-conferenced to the BC Cancer Agency and BC Centre of Excellence for Women's Health (BCCEWH).

You can also participate from your own office via WebEx which allows you use your own computer and phone. Full details about how to participate are below.

Date: February 27, 2008 (Wednesday)

Time: 4:00 to 5:00 PM

UBC Vancouver (Live!): UBC Telestudios (Room# 0110) 2329 West Mall

BCCA: 4th floor Boardroom (Room 4218) at the Vancouver Centre, 600 W. 10th.

BCCEWH: 4500 Oak Street (Room K0-156)

UBC-Okanagan: Fine arts and health building - 3rd floor (Room 351B)

WebEx connection instructions:
1. Go to https://msfhr.webex.com/msfhr/j.php?ED=98625977&UID=0
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: ruralhealth
4. Click "Join".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.

Teleconference Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 866-469-3239
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 650-429-3300

RSVP: nexus@nursing.ubc.ca by February 22nd

Description:
In spite of progress in prevention and treatment, heart disease remains a significant cause of debilitating illness and death of Canadian men and women. This chronic and terminal illness requires patients and their families to self-manage much of their care, including the modification of health behaviours to reduce their risk for further cardiac events, to work in partnership with their primary care provider, and to access acute medical services as needed in the trajectory of their disease. In BC, all patients who require an invasive cardiac intervention, such as balloon, angioplasty or cardiac surgery, must travel to a cardiac referral centre in the Vancouver or Victoria regions. Following discharge, patients return home to be cared for by their local care provider, with few resources available to transition from acute to community services. This study aimed at describing self-care behaviours of patients who had undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention for the management of coronary artery disease, following admission and discharge the day of the procedure. In addition, we studied factors associated with cardiac self-efficacy and self-care agency in the two to five days following hospital discharge to identify patients at higher risk for a difficult recovery upon return to their community.

If you plan to attend the seminar, please RSVP by February 22nd, with an indication of how you plan to participate (location or WebEx).


Ariadna Fernandez, MA
Research Manager, NEXUS
University of British Columbia
School of Nursing
302 - 6190 Agronomy Road
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3

E-mail: ariadna.fernandez@nursing.ubc.ca
Phone: 604-822-7933 Fax: 604-822-7869
W: http://nexus.ubc.ca/

BC Schizophrenia Society offers translated materials

The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society offers fact sheets about schizophrenia in Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, and Urdu. Information in French is available through a link to La Société Québécoise de la Schizophrénie website.

To view these fact sheets and to access other information about schizophrenia, support and activities in BC, vist the the BC Schizophrenia Society website at http://www.bcss.org/.

Volunteer Leader Training for "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions" Workshops

TIME SENSITIVE

If you have a chronic health condition or understand the challenges of living with a chronic health condition, you might be interested in the upcoming training opportunities for the province-wide workshop "Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.

For information about the training courses offered throughout the province, check the list below and check the website for updates: http://web.uvic.ca/~pmcgowan/research/cdsmp/

Scheduled Leader Training Sessions currently posted at the website:

Fort St. John
Fort St. John Health Unit (Multi-Purpose Room)
10115 - 110th Avenue
Thursday to Sunday, September 20 to 23, 2007
9:30 am to 4:00 pm (approximately each day)
Register: Terry Cayer at toll-free 1-866-902-3767 or tcayer@dccnet.com (Maximum 16 participants)

For information about becoming a Volunteer Leader and details about Leader Training Workshops, please contact Karen Hannah at 604-940-3568, toll-free at 1-866-902-3767, or email khannah@dccnet.com

Vancouver
Pacific Spirit Community Health Centre
2110 West 43rd Avenue, Vancouver
Fridays and Mondays; August 17, 20, 24 and 27, 2007
9:30 am to 4:00 pm each day

For information about becoming a Volunteer Leader and details about Leader Training Workshops in your community, please contact Terry Cayer at 604-940-3573 or toll-free 1-866-902-3767, or email tcayer@dccnet.com

Kamloops
Desert Gardens
540 Seymour Street Kamloops, BC
Monday to Thursday, October 1 to 4, 2007
9:30 am to 4:00 pm (approximately each day)

Register by September 17, 2007 with: Terry Cayer - Coordinator @ TOLL-FREE: 1-866-902-3767 or email: tcayer@dccnet.com(Maximum 18 participants)

Kelowna
Location to be announced
Kelowna, BC
Wednesday to Saturday, October 10 to 13, 2007
9:30 am to 4:00 pm (approximately each day)

Register by SEPT 20, 2007 with: Terry Cayer - Coordinator @ TOLL-FREE: 1-866-902-3767 or email: tcayer@dccnet.com(Maximum 18 participants)

Victoria
Yakimovich Wellness Centre
1454 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC
Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
August 20 to 24, 2007

Courtenay/Comox
Community Living BC
107 - 555 Fourth Street, Courtenay, BC
Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
December 6 to 10, 2007

For information about becoming a Volunteer Leader and details about Leader Training Workshops, please contact: Mark Davies
Phone: 604-940-3580 or toll-free1-866-902-3767; email: mvdavies@dccnet.com

The Health Literacy Study Circles + Guides

A series of health literacy resources are available at the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL).

The series includes: Skills for Disease Prevention and Screening (2007), Skills for Chronic Disease Management (2005), and Skills for Health Care Access and Navigation (2005).

From the website:"The Health Literacy Study Circles + Guides consist of two parts. The first is a separate book titled: Introduction: Overview, Planning, and Facilitation Tips. The second is the Facilitator’s Guide, prepared in notebook format, containing all the information needed for each of the three Health Literacy Study Circles + ."

For more about the series, visit http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=769

Summer '07 "Tips for Living Well" newsletter is out!

The summer issue of Tips for Living Well newsletter from the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities' Wellness & Disability Initiative is hot off the press! If you subscribe to the paper copy, you'll be receiving your issue soon. If you access the PDF version from our website, you can start reading today.

In this issue ...

• Learning the Language of Feelings by Mark Linden O'Meara (an excerpt from his book, The Feeling Soul)
• Living with Hope--a video about hope and people with terminal illness
• How to Support a Family Caregiver--a new booklet about supporting caregivers from the UVIC Centre on Aging
• Watermelon Anyone?--more about watermelons than you could ever want to know!
• Pets & Wellness--a special two-page spread with pictures and pet news
• HIV/AIDS Reality Check column--this issue is information from Health Canada about condoms
• Top Tag Pet ID--a nifty flash drive containing all that important info about your pet... worn as an ID tag
• Access to Health Awards--it's not too soon to begin thinking about who you will nominate for the 2007 awards. Deadline for nominations is October 31st.
• Living a Health Life with Chronic Conditions--this program is now available throughout BC
• Cleaners and Pesticides Can Be Fatal--use them properly, or better yet, use alternatives
• Seven Myths about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Tips for Living Well--headache tips, laughter, improving your memory, and volunteering
• Most People with Arthritis Don't Get Enough Exercise
• Sunscreen and Summer Sun Safety
• Online Book Helps Children Understand the Effects of Stroke
• Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)--a personal account

Don't miss out. Subscriptions to the paper copy are free in Canada. Contact wdi@bccpd.bc.ca to subscribe or to order multiple copies for your office or organization.

"Mind Matters: BC's Mental Health E-news"

Mind Matters is published by the Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) BC Division. Delivered to your email box each month, Mind Matters contains "CMHA news, programs, resources and events in BC, as well as:

• mental health news and research
• new mental health programs and resources in BC
• public education events
• courses, workshops and conferences for people with mental illness, family, friends, caregivers, advocates, and health/mental health professionals.

The following selected headlines from the June 2007 issue of Mind Matters provide an example of the range of information available:

• Coping with Suicidal Thoughts ... a short guide
• New Look and Video Resources for AnxietyBC Website
• DepressionLifelines.ca is a new website that connects you to the knowledge accumulated by mental health organizations across Canada
• The latest edition of CMHA Ontario Division's Network magazine, now available online, reflects on the theme of social inclusion
• Family Matters – A Tool for Teens is a new online resource from mindyourmind.ca
• New Website for Parents of Kids with Special Needs--Our Special Kids is a web resource for parents of children with special needs who are looking for information relevant to their situation and understanding from others
• Planning Guidelines for: Mental Health and addiction Services for children, Youth and Adults with Developmental Disability is available in PDF format at http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/
• Working Effectively With Interpreters in a Mental Health Setting
• BC Launches Pilot Program for Parents of Children with Mental Illness
• Scientists Encouraged to Focus on Psychological Needs of Cancer Survivors
• Mental Illness Targeted by Workplace Screening Program
• Movie Mondays in Victoria
• Frames of Mind Mental Health Film Series – I Have Tourettes But Tourettes Doesn’t Have Me
• New Writing Group for People With Mental Illness

Read back issues or subscribe to Mind Matters at http://www.cmha.bc.ca/news_events/enews.

"Shared Voices" MS Society Newsletter great source of tips

Shared Voices is an excellent newsletter published by the MS Society of Canada's Lower Mainland chapter. The Summer 2007 issue is packed with terrific information for people living with MS—much of it of interest to people with other types of disabilities or health conditions as well. Copies are available at the website. Check out this issue for the following items and more:

• tips for keeping cool during the summer heat (p. 1-2)
• a report on a Nordic Pole Walking Workshop at the WestEnd MS Support Group (p.3)
• Lower Mainland Chapter educational workshop September 22nd 2007 (p. 4)
• A Light-hearted Parody of Your Summer Horoscope (p. 6-7)
• information about accessible pools, beaches, and musical events in the Lower Mainland
• Massage and more ... information about the West Coast College of Massage Therapy's Inreach Program for people living with MS. Over a 14-week term, massage therapy students provide weekly 60 minute massages (under supervision). "Besides the many benefits of massage, a mini support group usually develops. Some have found their fear of becoming less mobile lessens when they see those who use various aids—canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters—living successfully." (p. 5)
• Therapeutic and Research Issues: Mitoxantrone (might-oh-zan-trone) (p. 4)

Note: The West Coast College of Massage Therapy is located in New Westminster. Each massage is $10.00. The program is currently full, but if you're interested, call Brenda at 604-451-8616 to be placed on a cancellation list.

Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions

A health education program to help people with chronic conditions—such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, depression and others—manage their illness is available throughout British Columbia. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions,” developed by the University of Victoria’s Centre on Aging, is free.

Trained and certified local volunteers, many living with chronic health conditions themselves, deliver the program in pairs once a week for six weeks. Groups take eight to 15 participants and each session lasts two-and-a-half hours.

The program offers practical tips on how to cope with the emotional and physical challenges of day-to-day living with a chronic condition. The sessions provide participants with skills for gaining more control over their illness and for boosting their self-confidence. The program, which receives funding from the BC Ministry of Health, is also open to friends, family and caregivers of people with chronic conditions.

For more information, or to register for one of the six-week courses, call the toll-free line at 1-866-902-3767 or visit the website at http://www.coag.uvic.ca/cdsmp.