BH CFS/FMS Support Group Links
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| Black Hills CFS/FMS Support Group's history shows outreach, growth | ||
Black Hills CFS/FMS Support Group was founded in January 1995 by Stephanie Wettestad, Tyke Secrest, and Alice James. It was founded to provide hope, education and support. The support group, affiliated with Rapid City Regional Hospital and sponsored by Dr. Cynthia Weaver, is governed by a board of directors.
From the very beginning, our support group has had the support of the community. Rapid City Regional Hospital provides us with a meeting room and has distributed our newsletter once a year. The Rapid City Journal wrote an article about CFS/FMS announcing the formation of Black Hills CFS/FMS Support Group. Dr. Englebrecht was the first of many speakers to agree to speak at our meetings.
The first year was a busy one. The support group's logo and brochures were designed by Elaine Dodson and Alice James. A lending library was established enabling support group members to check out books. We also filled our library with information, brochures and leaflets on CFS/FMS. This material is provided free of charge at meetings and is mailed to inquirers throughout SD and surrounding states. A computer database for membership was established and is still maintained by Elaine Dodson. Our first newsletter was sent out to seventy people. It was one page in length. The newsletter is now eight pages and is being sent to over 800 people in almost every state in the nation. Our new treasurer, Kathryn Fullington, opened a checking account for the support group. We joined several CFS and FMS national organizations and later the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce's Health and Human Services Committee. We participated in our first Chamber of Commerce Health Fair at the Civic Center. We began participating in the CFS/FMS Newsletter Exchange Program for support groups nationwide. Connie Pich became our first spokesperson. Support group members have been appointed to the Black Hills Arthritis Association's Board of Directors. Also in 1995, three support group members (Donna Martin, Pat Howard, and Deb Brandt) were certified to teach the Arthritis Foundation's "The Fibromyalgia Self-Help Course." Later, Donna and Deb were certified to train others to teach the class.
In later years, BH CFS/FMS Family Members/ Loved Ones Support Group was formed. The Hot Line/Pen Pal list and the E-mail PenPal list were established. An art club was formed for those interested in getting together to paint once a week. In 1998, Black Hills CFS/FMS Support Group received 501c(3) tax exempt status from the IRS and Articles of Incorporation for Non-Profit Status by the Secretary of State of South Dakota. In January 1999, the support group participated in the 28th Medical Group's Women's Health Fair and Conference at Ellsworth AFB. In March 1999, the support group received its first memorial donation in memory of a loved one. We have combined forces with the BH Arthritis Association in recognition of Arthritis Information Day on several occasions. A program was instituted to sign out refurbished computers to support group members who were willing to do occasional volunteer work for the support group. We commemorated the 5th anniversary of our support group in January 2000 with a reception at Black Hills Rehab Hospital.
We have had three successful CFS/FMS health fairs. "Hope and Help: Living with CFS/FMS", our first CFS/FMS Health Fair/Information Exchange Fair, was held in April 1996 with over 150 attending. In 1998, BH CFS/FMS Support Group sponsored a successful "CFS/FMS Mini-Health Fair" with 200 attending. Mayor Shaw gave the opening remarks. "CFS/FMS: It's Not All in Your Head" was the theme of the May 2004 CFS/FMS health fair with 125 attending.
Our support group has received recognition through national and local awards. In 1997, Alice James, support group volunteer, received the "Wind Beneath Our Wings" outstanding performance award (sponsored by the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce’s Health and Human Services Committee) for outstanding work with our support group. Connie Pich and BH CFS/FMS Support Group received national recognition through an article, "Educating South Dakota about CFIDS and Fibromyalgia," published in The CFIDS Chronicle magazine (March/April 1998 issue). In 2000 the CFIDS Association of America and the CFIDS Support Network (CSN) presented Black Hills CFS/FMS Support Group the 2000 CSN ACTION (Always Committed to Improving Our Network) Award in the category of Fund Raising and a gift certificate worth $150 worth of educational materials available from the Association. Elaine Dodson of our support group also received honorable mention in the category of Local Group Volunteer, Person With CFIDS (PWC). Alice James and Elaine and Neil Dodson were selected as the Rushmore Mall/KOTA Radio “Volunteer of the Week” for their work with our support group. In June 2002, the CFIDS Association of America selected our support group to receive the CFIDS Support Network Profile of the Month in recognition of our dedication, commitment and support to the CFIDS community.
Updated on: June 16, 2006