Chronic Condition Management Resources

---

Self-Management BC offers several options from self-study that includes a free book through a self-paced online program to real-time virtual and in-person programming. They offer the following topics:

• Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/chronicconditionprogram 
• Living a Healthy Life with Diabetes: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/diabetesprogram 
• Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/chronicpainprogram 
• Living a Healthy Life with Cancer: https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/cancerprogram 

Website: https://cariboochilcotin.fetchbc.ca/index.html 

This is a great resource specific to the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and provided by the Divisions of Family Practice. It is a search page with over 600 listings for community resources related to: health, low-income support, social services, mental health/counseling, substance use/addictions, condition-specific info, youth, First Nations, family life, health services, abuse/neglect, and education/employment/development. If you don’t find what you need below, look in FETCH. 

HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd 

Here to Help: https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/adhd 

Center for ADHD Awareness, Canada: https://caddac.ca/ 

Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance: https://www.caddra.ca/ 

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder 

ADDitude Magazine (online): https://www.additudemag.com/ 

Ataxia Canada: https://lacaf.org/en

BC Ataxia Society: https://www.facebook.com/bcataxia/ This regional group has merged with Ataxia Canada. They are referring interested people to the Ataxia Canada Facebook page. 

McGill University Neuro Resource Center: https://www.mcgill.ca/infoneuro/online-resources/medical-topics/ataxia

Cerebral Palsy Association of BC: https://www.bccerebralpalsy.com/ Also addresses CP through the lifespan, online exercise programs. 

Cerebral Palsy Canada Network: https://www.cpcanadanetwork.com/ This website houses information on education, self-advocacy, and resources across all provinces. 

HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/fibromyalgia

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Center: http://www.bcwomens.ca/health-info/living-with-illness/fibromyalgia Also associated with a chronic conditions management program that requires a referral from a provider.

Fibromyalgia Association Canada: https://fibrocanada.ca/en/

SEE ALSO the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome section below as these conditions tend to be associated and most of the resources listed there address both conditions. 

HealthLink BC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/long-term-effects-covid-19

Provincial Health Services Authority: http://www.phsa.ca/health-info/post-covid-19-care-recovery

They provide a video self-management program series here: https://www.longcovidbc.ca/

Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/symptoms/post-covid-19-condition.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-post-covid-19-condition

SEE ALSO the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome section below as these conditions tend to be associated and several of the resources listed there also address long COIVD. 

MS Canada: https://mscanada.ca/

• The Williams Lake support group for MS Canada is: https://mscanada.ca/find-support/ms-support-groups/williams-lake-ms-support-group-british-columbia 

• Please note that on the support group page, there are groups listed for Quesnel and Prince George, too. There are groups open to anyone from anywhere, groups for women, and groups for caregivers. 

My MS, My Rules: https://myrules.ca/en

Muscular Dystrophy Canada: https://muscle.ca/ Resources include equipment funding programs and a person who can help people complete applications. Programming also includes caregiver education and retreats. 

• This group also provides support for many neuromuscular disorders including muscular dystrophies, myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders (myasthenic conditions), and motor/sensory disorders. They ask that they are contacted to learn if a condition falls under their umbrella for support. 

• Take a look at this page for a variety of informational documents and an emergency and care card that can be important in self-managing care, especially if one is unable to communicate well: https://muscle.ca/services-support/personal-support-program/educational-resources/

• Here is the link to the equipment program: https://muscle.ca/services-support/personal-support-program/equipment-program/

• Here is the link to the service specialist to find a person who can work with you to complete the equipment application: https://muscle.ca/services-support/personal-support-program/equipment-program/

• Here is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MuscularDystrophyCA/

HealthLinkBC: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/illnesses-conditions/fatigue-and-sleep/myalgic-encephalomyelitischronic-fatigue-syndrome

BC Women’s Hospital + Health Center: http://www.bcwomens.ca/health-info/living-with-illness/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-(me-cfs) Also associated with a chronic conditions management program that requires a referral from a provider. 

The ME/FM Society of BC: https://www.mefm.bc.ca/ There is a free program offered in modules that are sent via email in a paced manner so as not to overwhelm the recipient.

ME Action: https://www.meaction.net/learn/what-is-me/

• A useful link contained in their resources is to this Long COVID Physio sponsored page on Post Exertional Symptom Exacerbation: https://longcovid.physio/post-exertional-symptom-exacerbation There is practical information, instructional videos, and exertion guides. 

National ME/FM Action Network: https://www.mefm.bc.ca/ 

In 2023, Philip Konrad was interviewed by the Williams Lake Tribuneabout his personal experience with Parkinson’s and the local fundraising walk he organized. He provided his phone number at that time for anyone interested in participating in a Parkinson’s support group. His number is: 250-395-3925. 

Parkinson’s Canada: https://www.parkinson.ca/. Includes links to exercise programming including boxing and dancing. 

Parkinson’s Wellness Projects: https://parkinsonwellness.ca/. 

The Royal Osteoporosis Society: https://theros.org.uk/healthcare-sector-news/new-guidance-on-managing-the-symptoms-of-vertebral-fractures/ 

• The direct link to the guide is: https://strwebprdmedia.blob.core.windows.net/media/kuphgv1u/ros-guidance-on-managing-symptoms-of-vertebral-fractures-2022.pdf This guide has many additional links embedded to exercises and more. 

Osteoporosis Canada: https://osteoporosis.ca/after-the-fracture/table-of-contents/spine-fractures/

• The webpage can take awhile to load or not load at all on some devices.
• This site also has very helpful information on other osteoporosis-related fractures, phases of healing, and methods of management including useful devices.