SECUNDA – Ms Rita Meyer wants to help people suffering from Fibromyalgia.
She was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 10 years ago after she was in a motor vehicle accident.
She said Fibromyalgia is often diagnosed when people experience trauma or stress.
Ms Meyer formed a support group in Secunda for people suffering from Fibromyalgia.
“People suffering from Fibromyalgia experience chronic pain and can often not even get out of bed,” said Ms Meyer.
“We sometimes are as tired as a normal person who has not slept in three days.
“People do not always understand this condition and say we must just get over it, but it is not that easy.”
Ms Meyer is a qualified social worker and has done numerous counselling courses and opened her own full time practice in Secunda 27 years ago.
Ms Meyer grew up on a farm near Secunda and matriculated at Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal before studying to become a social worker.
She worked at a prison in Pretoria after finishing her studies and said during her time there she saw the other side of emotional hurt.
She uses methods such as play therapy, sand play therapy, hypnosis therapy and brain spotting therapy at her practice.
“According to research, brain spotting has helped patients with Fibromyalgia and Parkinsons to improve.
“It also helps for pain and depression.
“Pain often causes depression and anxiety.”
At Ms Meyer’s support group the people share what they experience, how they handle the pain and they encourage one another.
“The most important aspect of support is to teach these people about self care and how to say no.
“They often cannot say no to others and thus do too much.
“They need to learn how to set borders for themselves and follow a routine.
“If one suffers with so much pain, everything becomes too much, such as taking a bath before bedtime etc.
“I teach them to follow a routine and follow certain guidelines to make their lives easier or more manageable.”
Her goal with the support group is to help people before they give up on life completely.
The group meets every Saturday.
According to Ms Meyer, Fibromyalgia is now being recognised as a disability in the medical field.
Ms Meyer’s love for animals comes from growing up on a farm and she has nine cats as pets.
“All of them are cats I rescued from somewhere.”
She is a supporter of animal welfare organisations in the area and used to be more involved with these organisations before she formed the support group.
Contact her at 082 630 0306.
