The purpose of this group is to provide a forum for "talking" about: Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), Environmental Illness (EI), and Fibromyalgia (FM) [all 3 illnesses collectively referred to as CEF] in the SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. Lyme Disease can be discussed in relation to these illnesses. Discussion includes, but is not limited to:

ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS - Announce CEF-Related events such as conferences, speakers, picnics, and book readings.

RESEARCH/INFORMATION - Share information about physicians, acupuncturists, and other health care professionals in the SF Bay Area. Ask for advice about local social service agencies. Recommend strategies for getting public/disability benefits.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY - Organize political activities. For instance, plan activities for CFIDS/FM Awareness Day.

FRIENDS, AND FAMILY in the SF Bay Area (or of people w/ CEF in the SF Bay Area) - are particularly welcome to join this list.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT - Share your experiences, struggles, and victories. Receive feedback, if wanted. Create friendships w/ other PWCEF in the SF Bay Area and possibly meet in person.

***PLEASE NOTE*** Discussion is limited to the San Francisco Bay Area AND one or more of the following illnesses: CFIDS, EI, FM. In other words, it is not appropriate to post about general CEF issues unless it has something to do with the SF Bay Area. For instance, having a general discussion about the latest treatments for CFIDS, is not okay. However, if you wanted to ask if someone knew a doctor in this area who provided one of these treatments, that would be fine. There are numerous other discussion groups that deal with general CEF topics.

Membership is restricted to those w/ one of these illnesses, and their friends and family. Healthcare providers who wishes to make their services known to this group may forward their info to CEFSFB-owner@yahoogroups.com, and I will forward it to the group. They may do this once a year.