By Jeanne Hambleton © 2008
This week up to two million people suffering with mysterious aches and pains which confused doctors and specialists all over the world, will be writing to their European Members of Parliament in Brussels urging them to sign a declaration to support raising awareness about fibromyalgia
The declaration has been put forwarded by the European Network of Fibromyalgia Associations representing 11 countries – Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
In a response to a request from the East Hants Borders Fibromyalgia Support Group aka Folly Pogs, two south east of England MEPs have supported the campaign to achieve greater recognition for this disease across Europe.
Sharon Bowles MEP, wrote, “I agree that it is essential that more is done to raise awareness. Access to information for both health professionals and patients is a key element in achieving a more effective and efficient system to treat this disease. With greater awareness and knowledge, sufferers will receive more support from medical professionals and hopefully achieve greater confidence to tackle this disease with a more positive outlook.”
Dr Caroline Lucas, MEP, confirmed her earlier support for fibromyalgia groups, would sign the declaration and “welcomed the activity to raise awareness and improve understanding of fibromyalgia across Europe.”
Andrew Reed on behalf of Nigel Farage, MEP, who apparently declined to sign the declaration, wrote, “ UKIP’s position, in this matter, is conditioned essentially by the consideration that the European Union, whose initiative you recommend, lacks the democratic accountability necessary to avoid its constitution as a fearsome autocracy, endangering freedom, justice, prosperity and peace; and that the primary effect of its legislation is to accelerate its progress towards that condition. Whatever the merits, or otherwise, of some of the EU’s legislation, and declarations, therefore, it is incumbent upon UKIP’s representatives, in the EU’s consultative assembly – both on principle and as the expression of their electoral mandate – to oppose them and any aspect of them, which increases their scope. I trust that you will bear this in mind, however pressing you may consider the subject of any particular declaration, or piece of EU-legislation, to be.”
