Belgium VLFP vzw

Vlaamse Liga voor Fibromyalgie-Patiënten

Naam: Vlaamse Liga voor Fibromyalgie-Patiënten vzw VLFP
Street: Impulsstraat 6c
District: 2220 Heist-op-den-Berg
Country: Belgium
Tel: 0032 (0)15/253319
Fax: 0032 (0)15/253338
E-Mail: info@vlfp.be 
Website: www.fibromyalgie.be

Board members:
President name: Leyns Christine 
Vice President :
Secretary: Daans Barbara
Treasurer: De Deyne Arlette
Member: Proost Ciska
Member: Vorsselmans Mai
Member: Lebegge Rosemarie
Member: Mertens Chris
Member: Smolders Anita
Member: Opdorp Linda   

History:
VLFP was founded in 1989 after the appearance of a patient in the radio show “Servicetelefoon” of Martin Dejonghe. At first VLFP operated locally, but in the last 10 years we have become a Flemish organization with 19 local contact groups.

Objectives:
Put everyone who has to do with fibromyalgie directly or indirectly, both patients and non-patients, in contact with each other.
Supplying practical, emotional or other assistance, both to patients and to their family.
Giving information and guidance by editing a magazine and brochures, by giving lectures and on our website and forum.
The promotion of awareness by participation in umbrella organizations such as Reumanet.be, Vlaamse Pijnliga, Vlaams Patiëntenplatform, attending and organizing conferences, making contact with medics, … .

Achievements, Activities and Events:

Before 2008

Activity name Objectives Date Venue
Co-founder of “Vlaams Patiëntenplatform” In the VL.P.P. Flemish patients association join their strengths to obtain more participation of the patient in health care. To raise together common needs and sticking points and help solve them are the central objectives. May 1999 Leuven Belgium
Brochure on fibromyalgia 2003
Physiotherapy brochure Brochure on non medical support and treatment of FM 2003
Brochure on nutrition Brochure on nutrition, herbs and supplements 2003
Participation in “Pijnplatform” De “Vlaamse Pijnliga” cooperates with other patients' associations, where pain is the common denominator. This cooperation has as its aim the clarification of the problems of people with chronic pain to society. Fall 2005 Elewijt Belgium
1e Flemish Medical Congress Participants:
Dr Coucke - Endocrinologist - importance of hormones, nutrition and immunity.
Mieke Vermeulen - psychologist - sleeping problems in chronic pain patients.
Professor De Meirleir – sports- and revalidation doctor, cardiologist - FM: underlying mechanisms and connecting therapy
Leyns Christine - nutrition and health counsel - Fibromyalgie and nutrition: a practical guiding principle
 October 14th 2006 Antwerp Belgium

In 2008

Activity name Objectives Date Venue
Training and meeting of volunteers working for VLFP Bringing together our volunteers to share experience and to show our appreciation for their support. April 2008 Mariakerke Belgium seaside
1st European World Fibromyalgia Day 2008 Raising awareness at the European Level 7th of May 08 Brussels Belgium
Revised brochure on FM and on nutrition September 2008
Chronically patients: Laurette Onkelinx makes concrete proposals to the patient associations 23 September 2008 the synthesis of the results of the inquiry by patient associations to the cabinet of Vice-First minister and minister of social matters and public health, Laurette Onkelinx, was presented. VLFP took part in this inquiry. September 23th 2008 Brussels Belgium
2e Flemish Medical Congress Participants:
Prof.Dr. Michael Maes - neuropsychiatrist - CVS and fibromyalgia: medical disorders of the immune system.
Professor Boudewijn Van Houdenhove-psychiatrist: 7 misunderstandings concerning fibromyalgia.
Mevr. Christine Tobback - nutrition counsel - role of nutrition and pain in chronic disorders.
Dr. F. Coucke – endocrinologist - Treatable causes of fibromyalgia.
 October 11th 2008 Antwerp Belgium
Inquiry by Reumanet.be Pain perception of patients with chronic disorders including FM October 2008

In 2009

Activity name Objectives Date Venue
Meeting with Laurette Oncelinx Vice-First minister and minister of social matters and public health, Laurette Onkelinx, invited VLFP in order to listen to our complaints. She wants to create a statute for ‘chronic patients‘ and wants to set up a pain clinic in each hospital. Medics and paramedics must get better training on FM. March 17th 2009 Brussels Belgium
Colloquium with Focus Fibromlyalgie Discussion on FM in Parliament. April 20th 2009 Brussels Belgium
Celebration of our 20 anniversary Academic meeting and reception for the press, other patients organizations, ENFA-members and all who is interested in FM to celebrate our anniversary. September 26th 2009 Provinciehuis Leuven
Reumanet Congress The intention is to show how you can approach rheumatism in a positive manner. An entire day to obtain information and participate in workshops, but also entertainment.
October 11th 2009 Antwerp Belgium 

In 2010

Activity name Objectives Date Venue
Training and meeting of volunteers working for VLFP Bringing together our volunteers to share experience and to show our appreciation for their support. Spring 2010 Belgium

Future Activities

Activity name Objectives Date Venue
3rd Medical Congress in association with Focus Fibromyalgie Introduction of national brochure for general practitioners on fibromyalgia March 2011 Leuven Belgium

Expectations from the Network

We expect ENFA to rise awareness on FM in Europe, to support the national patients organizations in common European matters on FM and be a link between them.

 

Activities