Archive for June 2020

Juneteenth Today is the oldest nationally celebrated memorial to the end of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with reports that the war had ended and that the slaves were now free. This was two and a…

Families with Children Taking a Lead in Advocating for Those with Migraine and Other Headache Diseases Migraine and other headache diseases can begin well before adulthood. For Robert Pushis, his migraine attacks started at the age of seven. Robert had symptoms of migraine that included aura, head pain, nausea, vomiting and dry heaves. As if…

One of the biggest reasons why migraine disease, despite being the second most disabling neurological disorder has yet to be taken seriously among our peers and gain the funding for research that it rightfully deserves, is the stigma surrounding it. The negative connotations surrounding the word “migraine” are not going away unless those living with…

When I first was first diagnosed with chronic migraine after an accident, my family longed to understand what I was experiencing. Many did not know much about migraine disease prior to me being diagnosed, only hearing the words “migraine” or “headache” in passing, let alone all the complexities of the disease. My disease began to…

I am blessed to have been a volunteer, in some capacity, for most of my adult life. In hindsight, I realize that I typically chose to volunteer where I could mix service with the camaraderie of working with people. I have enjoyed the diversity of each experience and made forever friends along the way. Some…

Migraine attacks are severe headaches that can be very painful and prevent you from your daily activities, going to school, working or spending time with family and friends. Aside from the debilitating pain, migraine attacks can also cause sensitivity to light, sound and strong smells. Some people may need to lie down in a quiet,…

Dealing with healthcare barriers can be a daunting challenge for people with migraine and headache disease (and other conditions). Not only do we have to live with pain and symptoms, we often have to endure a trial and error process to get the best and safest medications to help us live better. The last thing…

Gina’s first memory of migraine was when she was about 5 years old, however, her mother tells her that she has shied away from all light since birth, and was an extremely colicky baby, so she may have actually suffered from migraine since birth. She states that her symptoms included head pounding, photophobia and vomiting…

Social media often gets a bad rap for displaying unrealistic ideals and warping the minds of the younger generations. Though it has its downfalls, social media can be utilized as a powerful tool to amplify our voices and build communities of people who are on similar journeys. Building Community When you live with a debilitating…

Jesse Thorn is a podcaster, radio host, and broadcast innovator. He has also had migraine disease most of his life. You may have heard Jesse on one of his popular podcasts or his National Public Radio show, Bullseye. He established the podcast network, Maximum Fun, which comprises dozens of podcasts on varied topics. Jesse has…