Waikato
Tracey
Health and Wellness Facilitator
Tuesday to Friday 9am till 4.30pm
Phone or Txt: 022 154 7076
[email protected]
Support services for people in the Waikato affected by ME/CFS, were established by Frankie Letford in 1999. Frankie, who saw the need for this provided phone support, newsletters and organised support groups. For 10 years, Frankie coordinated this, as she was able to in a voluntary capacity with support from MS Waikato. With growth came the need to employ a support worker. For a further 12 years, ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia clients were then supported under the umbrella of MS Waikato.
During this time, the group continued to grow considerably, and recently sought to separate itself from MS Waikato to create their own identity. Following discussions with the Bay of Plenty organisation Complex Chronic illness Support Inc. (CCIS) an agreement was made and CCIS has welcomed the ME/CFS group into their midst. The CCIS model for service, is a better fit for supporting those affected by ME/CFS and allied conditions than under the MS umbrella.
“I have been attending the monthly Complex Chronic Illness Support group since March 2021 and I find very helpful not only finding out more about my illness but also talking to others with the same illness.
The facilitator, Tracey Larsen, is a wonderful and incredibly helpful person who has helped me enormously in the short time since my diagnosis.”
From MC.
Kia Ora and welcome from the Mighty Waikato.
I hope you are well and that today is a good day for you. If it isn’t, that is okay. I hope you are therefore taking care of yourself in the best possible way, and attending to ‘what you need, right here, right now’.
So where to start…!! Perhaps Happy New Year, and welcome to the first newsletter of 2023. What a start to the year, my goodness!! Two Cyclones in 2 weeks have caused extensive damage and earthquakes. Another flurry of Covid at the end of last year, and not much of a summer to top up our Vitamin D and relaxation requirements (unless you live in the south island). Hopefully, we will now see a more settled Autumn to bring some calm and restoration back to society before winter presents itself.
As I observe what is happening around us, and the chronic stress levels caused by the constant rollercoaster of disastrous events happening in our world, the need for extra emotional resilience is becoming very evident.
So I have started having conversations about “kitting out your tool kit”. What is in your tool kit at present that supports you when you are struggling to deal with the impacts of life’s events on top of a chronic condition/s? What additional tools or habits could be helpful to add in?
Recently, I was consumed with worry, concern, and hopelessness while sitting with the unknown and uncertainty during Cyclone Gabrielle, waiting to hear news from family in flood-stricken areas. Luckily, I had a few good tools in my tool kit, but I added another tool – I asked myself regularly throughout the week – “What do I need right here, right now”. What a really helpful question!! Most of the time the answer was, “just breathe Tracey”, other times it was “be mindful Tracey”, or “name 3 things I feel, see, smell etc…” It is an excellent question to help you ground yourself at times of heightened stress. So go ahead, I ask yourself this same question. And stick a note to the fridge if you need reminding.
I am really looking forward to connecting with you all in one way or another this year. We have some great topics coming up so be sure to keep an eye on your emails. And remember to see our website for notes and powerpoint presentations from previous topics. This month we spoke about The Process of Change. I am sure you will be able to relate to what we spoke about and gain some understanding and insight.
Nga mihi,
Tracey Larsen
Waikato H&WF
(P.S. And yes the family were safe, no suffered no flood damage, thank goodness!)
Monthly Members Meetings
Is for all our members who want to attend a monthly meeting but do not have the extra energy to leave their homes
Currently, all Monthly Member Meetings are held online. We welcome you to join us - if you need support getting online, please contact your facilitator and we can have a practice prior to meeting time so that you feel more comfortable on the day.
Social Groups
Hamilton
Young Ladies Hamilton Group
1st Thursday of the month – 10.30am
Te Awamutu
Te Awamutu group meet on the third Thursday of the month. We meet in the afternoons in colder weather and at 10.30am during warmer months.
The venue changes each month, so watch for emails and check the facebook group for updates or contact Fiona via email for more information
Want to Speak to your Health and Wellness Facilitator?
