Hello May 12th

Dear Purple Butterflies, 
 
This is an updated post from an article that I wrote to spread NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY information a year ago. I liked it so much that, I am reposting it with revisions from other articles I posted for the occasion. Every May 12th, I look forward to showing my support for Fibromyalgia. Participants world-wide on this day will be raising awareness for this chronic and disguised condition by hosting multiple events. Fibromyalgia Awareness Day has been around since 1998. It all came to be when Lynne Matallanax and Karen Lee Richards (the founders of the National Fibromyalgia Association), sent packets of information to national support groups inquiring help to approach U.S political leaders for this invisible illness. Lynne was finally able to get The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to recognize May 12th as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day! Not long after, roughly twenty-five other jurisdictions across the country followed suit. What’s so cool about this story is that this year, National Fibromyalgia Day just celebrated it’s twenty-fourth anniversary! Another article you might find helpful is Mystery of Fibro History, posted from last year as well.  
 
If you’re curious and would like to know more about FMS, the following snippet is from the National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - May 12, 2022 article. “Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes chronic pain all over the body. Other symptoms also include fatigue, anxiety, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, skin sensitivity, insomnia, numbness, stiffness, etc. People suffering from fibromyalgia either go undiagnosed for years or are misdiagnosed. Due to a lack of research and the difficulty in identifying the factors that cause the illness, many also believe that the disease is psychological and not real. Moreover, there is no permanent cure to relieve the sufferer.”
According to The Mayo Clinic, “Fibromyalgia pain is not the same in everyone with this disorder. Some people may have extreme skin sensitivity to gentle pressure. Some may have tender finger joints without redness or swelling. Others may have significant tenderness of the muscles of the upper back and neck.” Have you ever wondered what is the latest news between Fibromyalgia and the autoimmune system? To read my blog about this, click Mindful Monday#61: Do you know Fibro?  
 
What will you be doing to help raise Fibromyalgia Awareness this year? Most of you might be familiar with this site: Fibromyalgiapatienteducation.info. This is a great reference to have if you’re wanting information. Or maybe you’re having trouble thinking of ideas on what to do for May 12.  For my birthday this year (May 8th) I will choose to support Fibromyalgia research. I’ll have a link to the charity on Facebook. 
 
Hopefully my blog has given you some inspiration for May 12th. Remember this butterflies, you don’t have to scream to be heard, and even the smallest star can be seen from across the universe. I’ll leave you this week with this awesome quote: “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou. 
 
I pray that everyone is staying safe. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!
 
Till next time!
Rachel