Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Housing Australia Network
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The function of this site is about to change. Most of my Housing Yahoogroups have closed due to almost no participation. However, this does not reflect the truth about homelessness of MCS sufferers within Australia.

In NSW the Adult Health Survey 2002 identified the prevalence of diagnosed "Chemical Sensitivity" at 2.9% while 24.6% reported "sensitivity to chemical odours". These are government published statistics!

Homelessness for these vulnerable people is highly likely that demands real outcomes. My focus is moving from support groups to establishing robust statistical data that is useable to create positive changes for sufferers.

In the next few days I will be adjusting this site to reflect this change.

The following link directs to the beginning of this change. If you have something to contribute to the process, please join in with the discussion.


Jonathan Wilson



I have deleted groups that no-longer exist which leaves two.

MCS Homelessness Australia
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MCS-Homelessness-Australia

CFSHAN-Links

Victoria
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFS-Housing-Victoria-AU

The purpose of this network is to service the need for accommodation for sufferers of the following diagnosis even if misdiagnosed, undiagnosed or ignored.

• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Fibromyalgia

Successful evidence used in court during 2004 states that CFS is a:

• "neurological condition to it's full satisfaction" of the insurer which falls 

• "within the criteria of the benefit" headed 

• "Multiple Sclerosis - Other Neurological Disorder"

Published in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Society of Victoria's journal 'Emerge, Spring, 2004' page 28.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Housing Australia Network is a free service available at Yahoo Groups and moderated by Jonathan Wilson in Victoria. CFSHAN seeks to service each state/territory of Australia. It's success will depend on how many people use each states site. This can enable communication between sufferers specifically with CFS related illnesses regarding their accommodation needs within Australia.

Who can join:

• If you are ill with one or more of these conditions then feel free to join. When you join, please include your diagnosis or suspected diagnosis. Once you have joined please register your details in the second table of the Database in the Group Toolbar on the left side of the page.

• If you have accommodation available please register then place the details in the first table of the Database in the Group Toolbar on the left side of the page.

Should you be moving interstate this would be a good place once you have identified the area you hope to move too. You may discuss which area would suit you best although this is usually discussed in other support groups where there are far more experienced people. For social and family reasons most people have a location pre-determined. Some people are more flexible.

The reason for the site is the result of my transient homelessness due to Chemical Poisoning resulting in health, family and social welfare issues intolerable to most people in modern society. My abbreviated list of conditions include: CFS, MCS, FMS, and memory deficits.

Doctors trained in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine are generally more expensive but will treat us with compassion and respect and may assist us with identifying the cause of our condition:

Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)
www.acnem.org/opening_material/opening_page_with_contents.htm
Email: [email protected]
Street address: 13 Hilton Street, Beaumaris, Victoria 3193
Phone: 03 9589 6088
Fax: 03 9589 5158

Are you Sensitive to Chemicals or Foods
For people suffering the debilitating and limiting effects of Chemical Sensitivities or Allergies please consider the "Environmental Illness Housing Australia Network" (EIHAN). Due to symptomatic similarities EIHAN is run in association with CFSHAN. Knowledgeable doctors of these illnesses estimate that symptoms overlap by approximately 90%.

Yet to be confirmed:
A source from Canada suggest that up to 80% of people suffering from Fibromyalgia also suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.

Environmental Illness Housing Australia Network
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EIHAN-Links

Queensland
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EIHAN_QLD

Should you suffer with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities please read:

"Understanding and Accommodating People With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in Independent Living"
Pamela Reed Gibson PhD
James Madison University
http://www.ilru.org/html/projects/ilnet/ilnet_bookshelf.htm
This article is based on the experiences of 917 people who suffer with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.

Further articles by Pamela Reed Gibson PhD and other doctors trained in environmental medicine are available at:

Environmental Health Perspectives
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/admin/openaccess.html

Disclaimer:
Because each person is different, what is shared is not endorsed by the group owner. Any decisions arising from support group discussions should be checked with your health care professional preferably trained in Environmental Medicine.

Manager: [email protected]