“It was Danielle who taught me that pain can be as malignant as any cancer. More importantly, pain can metastasize, eating away the soul, and obliterating hope and the will to live.”
-Lynn Webster, M.D., family friend
On March 24, 1999, at age 17, Danielle Byron Henry took her own life. She had lived with chronic migraine for seven years and suffered an ischaemic stroke as a result.
“When she felt well, Danielle was magic. She was the sunshine in our family,” says older sister Elizabeth. Her father Dr. Dan Henry, a family physician, now focuses on those with debilitating migraine and headache diseases. “I never want another patient to hear, ‘I have nothing to offer you.’”
In 2016, her family started the Danielle Byron Henry Migraine Foundation, which aims to reduce stigma. They have partnered with the University of Utah to start “Headache School.” Diane, Danielle’s mother, affirms “Danielle’s life was meant to bring us to this journey…to Shine Her Light.”
Danielle’s story was originally published in the INvisible Project: Migraine & Headache 3rd Edition.
by Michaela O’Connor
Community Outreach and Communications Specialist,
U.S. Pain Foundation
Read More Posts
Becoming a Headache Disease Blogger
Although social media has overtaken blogging as the primary place
where people meet online, blogging provides a unique opportunity for a deeper connection to others and is an excellent way to advocate for people with headache disorders. Blogging also challenges you to grow personally and professionally. This post describes one person’s
blogging story, the benefits of blogging, and how you can start your own blog.
How to inform the people in your life about Migraine/Headache
Migraine attacks are severe headaches that can be very painful and prevent you from your daily activities, going to school, working or…
Read More
How Retreat Migraine Changed My Life
Living with Migraine can feel really lonely, but advocacy brings us together. This article shares how I found community at Retreat Migraine and how to get started as an advocate.
Read More