Will you be UNSHAKABLE too?

 

Why is it so important? It is the second leading cause of disability. And it’s one of the least funded. We, as migraine fighters already go through a lot with the pain, and finding little to no relief. Why do we have to also fight against insurance due to lack of funding for migraine?

 

People with migraine may miss work, or be forced to be less productive. Migraine is hard to treat because many migraine symptoms overlap with other conditions. Some people may not recognize symptoms of migraine and may not seek appropriate treatment. Children also have the possibility of getting migraine thus the chance of it being hereditary. 

 

The toughest part of having migraine is that it can be treated but, as of right now it cannot be cured. And this is one of the most gut wrenching circumstances to find out when you are diagnosed with migraine. I can tell you that being diagnosed years ago, I have been through hell and still going. I can’t seem to find the right treatment. I feel like a guinea pig at times because as soon as some new medication treatment comes out…I am on it. The procedures that seem to be THE ones, the insurance does not approve because there isn’t enough funding for migraine disease. Seriously?!?

 

Every day…when I wake up I don’t know how my day will go or how it will end. My life sits under control of my pain. How is this OK? I am well aware of my triggers, the smells, the fluctuations in the weather, the food, the lights, I wear my sunglasses everywhere. My migraine attacks last for weeks and vary from stroke-like symptoms to where I can’t feel my face, I lose vision in my right eye, and end up having a seizure. 

 

The American Migraine Foundation estimates that at least 39 million Americans live with migraine, but because many people do not get a diagnosis or the treatment they need the actual number is probably higher. 

 

Since funding seems to be one of the major issues here, I wanted to find a way to help. I found how to like this AND also keep YOU motivated! I teamed up with Little Words Project to donate 25% of net proceeds of sales of this motivational bracelet to Miles for Migraine. Every time you buy this little beauty, you will be helping someone who has to fight with migraine.

 

 

This phrase was envisioned by one of my great friends who has seen me at my worst and knows how hard it is for migraine fighters. We, with daily pain, with daily struggle, and no end in sight, we stand tall. We might fall a few times but we are unshakable.Pain is something that try as we might can not be ignored. It not only demands to be felt, it is a requirement. We still wake up every day with a smile on our faces, reminding ourselves that not only are we capable of what is thrown at us, but strong enough as well. WE ARE UNSHAKABLE. 

This is why I picked Miles for Migraine :

THEIR VISION: To create some “big noise” in the migraine community and raise awareness that migraine and headache disorders are more than “a headache”. They are making big strides with their 2-mile walk, 5K run.

THEIR MISSION: Miles for Migraine is a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the lives of people with migraine and other headache disorders, and their families, by raising public awareness about this disease, and helping to find a cure. Besides the run/walk, they also host adult and family education and social programs, and support groups.

FROM MILES FOR MIGRAINE:

In addition to pain, sickness, and — for many — daily disability, migraine carries a severe burden of discrimination and negativity from many members of the community.

This is social stigma.

History demonstrates that diseases that are stigmatized, like HIV, and breast cancer, can only change in the public’s mind when the patients and their families come together in community action asking for recognition. Diseases in which the patients do not stand up for themselves remain badly stigmatized, and patients do not receive the research or therapies needed to effectively treat their condition. This is true even if doctors speak up for the disease; patients and their families must take over the effort. Patients with migraine often do not have the chance to stand up for their disease, and thus themselves. Migraine is a major disease that receives about a 20th of the research dollars that should be given to it based upon its impact. Migraine patients desperately need new research to discover new treatments, and headache researchers and clinical specialists need to be trained.

I have run at least 5 of their events and I see how much they try to help us. They are trying to fund as many migraine headache specialists around the United States as possible because so many of us NEED YOUR HELP! As they stated above….the patients and families need to come together in order for us to get any form of recognition and that is what I am trying to do as well. I am trying to be as loud as possible so we get some funding, more treatments, and hopefully one day a cure. But we can’t do it alone. 

So with EVERY purchase of the Miles for Migraine bracelet you are helping me, my child, my husband, my best friend, and anyone else you know that has to battle with migraine disease. It won’t be on the website for a long time so please purchase it before it’s gone. Thank you all for your constant support throughout my battling miles.

-gelcys

the marathoning migraine