Fibromyalgia Advocate
At 38 years old, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I had been unwell for 20+ years but never had any answers to my pains and ailments. When I received my diagnosis and confirmation of the diagnosis from a specialist, I felt empty and hopeless. Somehow I thought there was a magic prescription or cure that would make the pain go away.
I fell into a deeper depression; when things were at the absolute lowest, I could not stand the idea of living my life so sadly and without purpose.
In the summer of 2019, I found the Fibromyalgia podcast by Tami Stacklehouse. Tami's positive outlook on life with Fibromyalgia inspired me that my life was not over because I have Fibromyalgia. I could learn to live with my illness. I decided to enroll in college for the first time in my life. A few month into the program, I took a career aptitude test, and it made me realize that I wanted to peruse a career in wellness and coaching. The real "ah-ha" moment was one day after class, sitting and chatting with a classmate, I confided in her that I wanted to be a Fibromyalgia coach (first time I said it out loud) and she responded with excitement that I would be an excellent coach.
*All of this is still a work in progress, I have a list of goals I wish to accomplish by 2024 and the end result, my ultimate goal is that I will be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach who specializes in addiction and abuse prevention for women.
In 2024, I was asked to participate in a collaboration publication. My story is titled My Tiny T's (Trauma) in Health Care. The book is called Fifty Shades of Fibromyalgia; Anthology of an Invisible Disability. It is a beautiful collection of people's experience with Fibromyalgia.
I am pleased to share that I am working on the follow up story on how somethings are better and my support system is amazing. My doctor(s), my peer support group(s), my counsellor, my art therapist, my clan (my spouse, my best friend, my kidlets, and my pets + my children's pets.