DAMSEL IN DISTRESS – Based on a true story

Are there any Knights out there in shining armour on white stallions? More to the point, are there any knights out there able to come to the aid of a damsel in distress?

Sorry I am not living in an ivory tower and regret I am not size zero in a flowing white chiffon full-length gown, but nevertheless this damsel is pretty distressed.

I think you should reach for the tissues, as it is a tale of woe beset with broken promises and modern day distress.

It all began when this damsel decided to write a book about her sickness – fibromyalgia. She wanted to tell the world about the pain fibromyalgics suffer and what it is like living in pain with no cure. She longed to get better and feel well again. What hopes did she have for the future when she faced pain, sleeplessness, chronic fatigue, isolation, depression, de0spair and possibly life in a wheelchair?

A knight from a far off land, called the Black Knight, heard of the tale of woe and offered to help the damsel in her quest. He promised to provide the funds to go the Caxton and print the book. He would also help her to tell the world about fibromyalgia and to spread the books far and wide to raise money for research.

Full of joy the damsel set to and began to scribe. For almost a year she worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk, writing and inviting those who knew about her sickness and her wise physician to add their comments to her book.

As Christmas drew near and her home was festive, she looked forward to opening her gifts and her greeting cards. She promised that she would work harder and finish the book more quickly in the New Year, with the help of her Guardian Angel.

But alas, alack, one of her greetings bore sad tidings. Her Black Knight, a man who was upright and true, had fallen on bad times and lost all his money. He was heartbroken he could not help the damsel and disappeared from her life full of shame. For days she cried and cried until she could cry no more.

I said you would need the tissues.

Filled with distress the damsel wondered what she would do. Unable to rejoice during Christmas she was sad, tearful, and downhearted and did not know who to turn to. Another damsel, who understood her pain, offered her all the money she had that day, to help her with the book. But alas 20 silver coins were not enough. Her friend said lots of people who had the same aches, pains and fatigue and who believed in the book, would offer her money to help with the printing. So it was that small donations began to arrive but this is not the end of this story. So far it has no happy ending unlike many fairytales.

The characters may sound fictional but they are real and live in this century with computers instead of quill pens, business men in black suits instead of Knights in shining armour, and with a business economic crisis instead of falling on bad times - but the distress is very real even in this century.

The book fund has now received donations totalling 45% of the publishing costs and 85% of the book is written. But there is still a long way to go if this self-help fibromyalgia book with the latest research, alternative therapies, motivational stories and a bit of humour is to reach the people who most need it. As the editor/author I will receive not receive a cent – red or otherwise and wherever possible all expenses will be absorbed by me – the money from sales will be used for research and hopefully to find a cure.

As I live in this century I do appreciate there is no taste in nothing. Backed by those who have already donated, it has been agreed that anyone donating £25 will receive a first edition copy of the book – inscribed if they wish.

The names of all donors will be printed in the book, and included on a list of people who believed, cared and had faith. Anyone supporting the book, however much their donation is, will received a personal letter of thanks and be given a chance to purchase the book at a reduced rate, pre-publication. Everyone will be invited to offer a brief dedication of a few words to be printed in the book. So you can see yourself in print!

If you fancy yourself as a White Knight in shining armour that will come riding out of the sunrise with a nice donation, or if as one of the many women who suffer with FMS, you just believe what we are doing is worthy of support, I would really love to receive your financial support for what has now become OUR book. So far fibromites and friends have pledged £1,264. We are nearly half way there, but we do need a little help from our friends.

If I can answer any questions about the book or about fibromyalgia please email me at pain24.7@mac.com. The book is called Pain 24/7 The Fibromyalgia Jigsaw ©.

If you feel you would like to support the book by making a donation please send me
your cheque or postal order made out to PAIN 24/7 to

Jeanne Hambleton, Pain 24/7, (c/o Fibromyalgia Support Surrey & Sussex),
Old Village Shop, 65, Stocks Lane, East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex. PO20 8NH

Do not forget to include your name, address, a very brief dedication (6 or 7 words), and confirm if you are a “friend” or “fibromite”.

Thank you for your support.

If you do nothing else to help raise fibromyalgia awareness, you will be helping us get the book out there to raise awareness and help with research thanks to your Support Group. I look forward to hearing from you and sending you an old fashion English thank you letter. Write soon. If you wish to check my credentials why not Google me? By the way I am still looking for funny fibro fog stories – please include any recollections when writing. Thanks. Jeanne

.