May 12th is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. In fact, the whole month of May is dedicated to raising awareness of fibromyalgia.
Why is awareness important? Just as with other conditions or illnesses, as people become more aware, more attention and resources are given to treatments and hopefully one day, a cure.
Another reason awareness is so important for fibromyalgia and other ‘invisible’ illnesses is to foster understanding of our friends and families – the people who become our day-to-day support systems. As the National Fibromyalgia Association says,
“One of the challenges of fibromyalgia is that you don’t look sick. Family and friends may have a hard time accepting your illness, because it is not visibly obvious to them. Sense fibromyalgia is a condition that waxes and wanes; it can be difficult to understand why you are able to do some things on one day and not the next. Therefore, you will need to make every effort you can to help educate and communicate the reality of your situation to those who are part of your life.”
I’ve been reading some fantastic posts and seeing some outstanding Awareness initiatives over the last few days, so rather than reinventing the wheel, I decided I’d share some of the ones that are already written/going on.
Awareness Blog Posts
Two of my very dear friends have written excellent posts about Fibromyalgia Awareness. Here are the links to their posts. I hope you’ll check them out.
First up, Caz from Invisibly Me debunks some myths about Fibromyalgia: https://invisiblyme.com/2020/05/10/6-fibromyalgia-myths-awareness-day/
Next, Bar from Back Pain Blog UK shares some Fibromyalgia facts and common symptoms: https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/99569169/posts/20267020
Awareness Events
Some people are running Social media campaigns to raise awareness, and here are two of the best:
The Fibro Blogger Directory’s This Is Fibro Campaign http://www.fibrobloggerdirectory.com/2020/05/fibromyalgia-awareness-in-may.html
Cynthia at The Disabled Diva’s Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Twitterfest https://thedisableddivablog.com/2020/05/11/fibromyalgia-awareness-day-twitterfest/
The Reality of Living with Fibro
Sometimes the best way to raise awareness is to share your story; to give people a glimpse into what it means to live in your body.
Here, Jo from A Journey Through the Fog shares the 18 types of pain she experiences with fibromyalgia:
Raising awareness is one of the best ways to improve understanding, secure funding for research, and maybe even one day, see a cure.
Have you been participating in any Awareness campaigns, or have you written a blog post about Fibromyalgia Awareness? If so, I’d love it if you’d share your link below. I’ll share all of them on my social media over the next couple of weeks.
Blessings,
~Terri
The purple butterfly is used as a symbol of fibromyalgia. Purple is the color of the fibromyalgia awareness ribbon, and the butterfly represents how, even as light as a butterfly is, it could cause pain for those of us who live with Fibro if it landed on us.
This is a hope filled post Terri and appreciated today! Thank you for your posts which are always informative, practical, hopeful! Xx
Awww…. thank you so much Marie! You are far too kind!
Great post Terri, here’s mine if anyone wants to see it. https://backpainbloguk.com/2020/05/09/may-is-fibromyalgia-awareness-month-2/
Thanks so much for sharing Bar! I’ve scheduled your posts on Social Media. Sending hugs your way!
Hey Terri! Very informative. I really liked this post! 😊💜
Thanks so much Kim! I hope you’re doing well and still enjoying the RV life!
Great resources, all in one spot! I didn’t know why the color purple or butterfly were symbols for FM. I had wondered if the purple represented the color of bruises.
Thanks so much Katie! This is only a small sampling of the fantastic Awareness posts and events that are out there. I had to look up why the purple butterfly is used. I like it because I love purple, and to me the butterfly is such a symbol of hope. Blessings to you sweet friend!
Aww Terri, I’m sorry I’m late in reading this (I don’t need to say how behind I am on everything as it’s not unusual anymore!) This is a great post to introduce other bloggers and resources. I’ve just RT’d now. Thank you so much for kindly including me, I’m honoured! There have been some brilliant posts and Twitter campaigns, plus of course Jo’s amazing efforts sharing life with the condition, and it’s really heartwarming to see – as you say, it pushes things forward for research, to change public opinion, to let others know they’re not alone. We’re not a quiet whisper on Awareness day, we’re a huge roooarrrrr and it’s incredible! xx
I know what you mean about being behind, Caz. I’m in the same boat. I’m trying to get back into my blogging routine, which of course, includes reading others’ blogs, also. I wanted to include your post because I think you did a fabulous job debunking myths. I agree – there were some brilliant things going on with Awareness yesterday, and I hope it continues. Sending hugs your way!