By Jeannette - Within the chronic illness community we speak a lot about the importance of visibility. We discuss the need to self-advocate, to have our rights heard, and the importance of speaking out against stigma, especially when you have an illness that has debilitating symptoms that impact our interactions with the world, but aren’t always … Continue reading The Vulnerability of Visibility
By Wanda - Do you make lists? I do. Tons of them. So many lists! Contacts, recipes, shopping lists, allergies, to do lists, appointments, doctors, medications, surgeries, conditions, test results, books to read, health studies... I make SO many lists! So, medications -- 27 at the moment. Some daily, some as needed, some I’d rather … Continue reading Chronically Fabulous at Fifty
By Brittany - It’s been 4 years since I was diagnosed with chronic migraine. Having never experienced a migraine prior to the concussion that caused this chronic neurological disease, to say the last 4 years has been a challenging learning experience is an understatement. This last month has been particularly challenging, with each day being … Continue reading 5 Ways I’ve Learned How to Survive Chronic Migraine
By Jeannette - On social media I often see fellow patients with chronic pain and illness, questioned and put in the position where they have to explain how they can have a bit of beauty, joy, smiles, and soul shine, while they are sick and in daily pain. Apparently, a smile must negate pain. I … Continue reading You Are Allowed To Live With Pain & Still Shine
By Wanda - Have you ever stopped and listed all the treatment methods you’ve used to manage the pain of migraines? We spend so much time, energy, and money on preventive and abortive treatments it can be daunting. According to the Migraine Relief Center, “the costs of migraines in the United States is $78 BILLION … Continue reading Looking Forward to Relief
By Sarah Faith - Chronic pain drains your energy, leaving you exhausted. It keeps you from being productive. It turns your life inward. It causes isolation, depression, loss of hope, and even loss of motivation to get better. First you give up and then eventually even begin making excuses above and beyond your actual limitations, … Continue reading My Journey to Self Care & Self Discipline
By Jorie - As we exit 2018 and enter 2019, there’s a topic I want to touch on that I think is important for all of us to remember and practice. Scrolling through my social media feeds these last few days has left me feeling both inspired and defeated. Inspired because I’m so happy to … Continue reading Looking Back with Authenticity
By Wanda - "Peace begins with a smile." - Mother Teresa Let’s be honest; in the midst of a migraine, our last thought is of peace. During our battles with insurance companies, arrogant doctors, uncaring family members, and a public who equates Migraine with a bad headache, peace doesn't really enter our thoughts. Maybe it … Continue reading Persistent Peace
By Sarah Faith - For those of us who experience any type of chronic pain, from daily to severe, it is not difficult to believe, empathize with, and understand others with the same affliction. For those who do not experience it, it is much harder. In fact, it seems sometimes that there is only a … Continue reading “I Believe You”
By Jeannette - Empowerment is a concept that is often discussed during Pain Awareness Month. One definition of empowerment is “the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights.” This sounds like a wonderful goal, but how do we accomplish this as individuals and as a community? … Continue reading My Journey to Empowerment
