Invisible Illness Week Features Free Online Workshops About Disability Assistance and Other Advocacy Issues

SAN DIEGO — SEPTEMBER 2007 — Nearly one in two people in the USA live with chronic illness. Although medical professionals do their best to address the health concerns of the chronically ill, those who live with illness must learn to be a good advocate for their healthcare and a victorious lifestyle.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, September 10-16, 2007, is featuring four of twenty free online chat workshops at www.invisibleillness.com that specifically address ways to be a good health advocate.

* “Increasing Your Odds in Receiving Disability Assistance” is being presented by Attorney, Scott E. Davis, one of the nation’s legal specialists in representing clients who are disabled due to fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome. He wins chronic pain and fatigue Social Security disability cases over 90% of the time, more than double the success rate of Social Security claimants who are not represented.

* “Taking a Stand: How to Avoid Medical Mistakes” is a workshop led by Janet Lynn Mitchell, author of “Taking a Stand.” Janet Lynn was a senior in high school, when she lost the use of her legs following surgery. She later learned she had been a victim of medical negligence, fraud and concealment undergoing additional surgeries in doctor’s attempts to correct the mistakes. Assembly Bill 2571, borne out of her misfortunes, unanimously passed both the California Assembly and the Senate and was signed into state law on August 31, 2000.

* “What Everybody Ought to Know About Magnesium” is the topic of Patrick Sullivan, Jr., co-founder and president of Jigsaw Health. According to Sullivan, up to 80% of Americans are deficient in this essential macro mineral that is involved in over 325 known biochemical reactions and tied to body aches, muscle twitches, spasms and cramps, low energy, headaches and more

* “How to Shamelessly Get What You Want When No One Seems to Care” will be led by Carmen Leal, author and founder of Someone Cares Christian Caregiver Conference. This workshop will focus on creative and positive ways to cut through the red tape facing caregivers and their families. It will help families understand how to effectively interact with church, social services agencies, and medical decision makers to get what they need to provide the best level of care for their loved ones.

Workshops are free chat sessions, Sept 10-14, 2007. See dates and times at www.invisibleillness.com. Guests will present for about forty minutes and then accept questions from attendees. Transcripts will be available in October. Many guests are donating free items or services.

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week was founded in 2002 by Lisa Copen, author of “Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend.” It is held annually in September and is sponsored by HopeKeepers Magazine and Rest Ministries, Inc.

The 2007 theme is “Invisible Illness is a roller coaster. Help a friend hold on!” T-shirts, silicone bracelets and more awareness items are available. See http://www.invisibleillness.com for more info. Chronique Couture, www.chroniquecouture.com , a company that has stylish items such as whimsical walker bags or sharps containers, is an additional sponsor for 2007.

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