Based in Salelles-du-Bosc, the association “I am fibro” offers a space for exchange, experience sharing and awareness.
Christopher Sanchez created the association “I am fibro” a year ago, which he based at his home in Salelles-du Bosc. Its objective, to help, to inform and to exchange people with fibromyalgia, a disease which materializes by diffuse muscle pain throughout the body.
Invisible and very disabling disease
“It is often triggered following a trauma, for me the loss of a twin. It is an invisible disease which can be very disabling, testifies Christopher. Fibromyalgia takes multiple forms and remains difficult to diagnose. She does not see herself and it plays a lot on the morale of the person who tends to contain and suffer in silence. “
The Héraultais, suffering from several other pathologies, took a long time to put a word on its symptoms. “I consulted specialists, neurologist, rheumatologist, passed a battery of exams. A fibromyalgic friend allowed me to know what I had, she turned me to her treating doctor, who has been following me for almost 10 years.” With treatment to relieve pain with which you have to live.
“I even twisted and I was hospitalized for some time in psychiatry where people launched a Leetchi kitty to allow me to buy a real armchair, suitable for my pathologies” says Christopher Sanchez, affected by this initiative. “When I left, I wanted to return the favor for people in need”. By recovering donations from professionals or individuals which he restores, by making garage sale and markets to earn money which is used to help finance equipment (canes, crutches, chairs, etc.). All through the association I am Fibro mounted with volunteers around him.
Important for morale to talk about it
“It allows us to create a link with other associations, with the APDA (audience assistance with disabilities) heart of Hérault, to organize events like a lottery in the Salelles room on November 9” adds the president. “We also have a Facebook page to talk about our actions, promote exchanges, collect testimonies. It is very important for morale to speak, not to feel alone, to share its experience and suffering.”