Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
May 12th is International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
I like to say everyday is fibromyalgia awareness day for those of us that have it. We are constantly, painfully aware of fibromyalgia.
This day is a good opportunity though to join with millions of others also living with fibro, to spread awareness to the rest of the population what life is really like when you have such a widespread, life altering illness.
For the past few years I have spent the whole week leading up to May 12th to share facts or quotes that summarize what life with fibro is on social media. Here is a recap of what I have shared this year in the effort to raise awareness.
While scientists are still not completely sure of what the exact cause of fibromyalgia is, it is believed to frequently be some combination of the above factors. For more information please go here.
People with fibromyalgia have a more intense response to pain and other stimuli than most do. For more information please go here and here.
Contrary to what some believe, fibromyalgia is not rare or uncommon. Millions of people all over the world have this illness. For more information please go here.
May 12th was chosen as the day for International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in honor of Florence Nightingale, who was born on that day. It is believed that she had fibromyalgia based on her words and testimony of historical documents. Regardless of what her diagnosis was, likely we can all relate to her words; "There is no part of my life, upon which I can look back without pain."
Another famous woman from the past that is believed to have had fibromyalgia is Frida Kahlo. She lived with chronic pain and used her art to depict the pain that was otherwise invisible. Who of us have not at some point felt like a severely wounded animal?
Why Raise Awareness?
These facts, statistics, and quotes help make others more aware of what we are living with day in and day out. They will hopefully make others more understanding and compassionate. They also help us to assure one another that we are not alone. We are all in this together!