Dominie Soo Bush is a piano teacher and church musician
currently living in Green Cove Springs, Florida. In 1982, at the age of 30, she
was working as a legal secretary in a law office. Prior to that, she was an
elementary school teacher. Dominie says that she has always been susceptible to
illness and her immune system was never particularly strong. However, at this
time, she began to struggle with sharp, shooting pains and muscular
inflammation. She was also fatigued.
Over time, the condition worsened.
Her family moved to “the allergy capital of Florida” and she felt like she had
the flu constantly. Her lymph nodes were swollen, she had a constant low-grade
fever and the fatigue was worsening.
Dominie recalls that she felt very
lost and alone. No one believed her or even knew what was really wrong with her.
She, like many millions of us, has both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and
Fibromyalgia. She shares her stories and struggles with both of these conditions
on her website,
http://www.fms-help.com.
What strikes
me about this site is Dominie’s gentle, kind and honest presence. She sincerely
wants to help others who struggle with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. Her
100 Tips for Coping
with Fibromyalgia & Insomnia is what first drew me to this site when I
was trying to put a name to what was ailing me.
Some of the tips have
been heaven-sent to me. She advocates lowering your stress, relaxation, exercise
and many other remedies that even the so-called ‘experts’ recommend. She also
offers information on special supplements that work for her. However, Dominie is
not a high-pressure salesperson. She offers the information as a service and, if
you want it, she’s happy to help you. If you don’t, she’s still there to give
you advice or provide you with outlets to be active in the fight for
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Awareness. She, along with Pattie Caprio, has
been instrumental in the effort for May 2005 called the
Million Letter
Campaign.
Dominie also offers a free newsletter and features the
wonderful article written by Terri Bean called
My Name is Fibromyalgia, along with
basic information about the symptoms of this disease, poetry and
more.
Check out her website if you are looking for inspiration,
information and a place to find understanding, support and encouragement. I’ve
got it bookmarked.