PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Fibromyalgia as a Disability - 25 April 2018 (Commons/Commons Chamber)

I rise to present a petition relating to the recognition of fibromyalgia as a disability, the need for greater research into the causes and treatment of fibromyalgia, and the need for greater awareness of fibromyalgia. The petition was started by my constituents Adrienne and Leann Lakin and has been signed by 1,379 people from across the United Kingdom. The petition should be seen alongside the Change.org petition of the same title that has been signed by 104,551 people—the number is going up all the time—which demonstrates vividly that this is an issue that reaches into every single Member’s constituency.

The petition states:

The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that fibromyalgia should be considered a disability; further that individuals with the disease struggle daily and often do not receive the medical help or support that could and should be provided; and further that other nations such as the United States of America, are leading the way in fibromyalgia research, but the United Kingdom is not following suit.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to recognise fibromyalgia as a disability at last.

And the petitioners remain, etc.

[P002141]