I’ve had fibromyalgia since my late 20’s. As I’m 59 now, that’s 30 plus years of dealing with the pain and nerve ending never-ending soreness and pain. Add a bit of arthritis, and disc degenerative disease and it makes for the perfect “How will I ever get through this day” type of day.
So how did Fibromyalgia day come about?
Reading from the National Fibromyalgia Associaton website:
They mailed out over 100 proclamation packets to individuals and support groups across the U.S. with suggestions on how to approach political leaders about the importance of creating awareness for this virtually unknown illness. That first year, Lynne was able to get the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to officially proclaim May 12th as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (L.A. County includes 88 cities). Approximately 25 other jurisdictions across the country did the same. The next year, about 150 proclamations were done. In the first 5 years of Awareness Days, there were over 2,000 proclamations in cities, counties, states, the U.S. Senate, Congress, and even at the White House, thus officially making May 12th National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. The trend continues to this day and many thousands of Awareness Day proclamations have been made all over the world. That means that each of the entities that have proclaimed an official Fibromyalgia Awareness Day recognizes that FM is a legitimate life-altering illness, and they support the under-served population of people living with it by calling for more research and new treatments to help improve their quality of life. May 12th is a day to remember how far we have come, from the days when almost no one had even heard the word “fibromyalgia,” to today when almost everyone has heard of it and knows someone who lives it. It is also a day to celebrate yourself for the fibro warrior you are, or the fibro warriors you support. You are part of this thriving community that was one of the first truly disruptive organizations to make a difference in how the world treats people in pain.It all started here at the NFA back in 1998, when our founders, Lynne Matallana and Karen Lee Richards, set out to get as many cities, counties, and states as possible to proclaim May 12th as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
To celebrate the 20th National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, create your own event or fundraiser in support of the NFA. Click here for the NFA’s guidelines and tips to help you get started. May 12th is just around the corner—let’s spend it together!
For more on the history of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, check out this page on the NFA website.
What is Fibromyalgia / Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
I hope this explanation helps you with a bit of knowledge about Fibromyalgia.
Join My Newsletter! It's Free!
Join my mailing list to receive the latest news and updates in my newsletter. Don't miss out! You may unsubscribe at any time.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
Your personal information will only be used for the express intent of sending you the monthly newsletter of Kathryn M. B. Johnson. Your privacy is important to me!