Migraine & Headache Awareness Month: The Aftermath

I think it’s safe to say that Migraine & Headache Awareness Month 2014 was a success. Sometimes it’s easy to discount your successes when you’re dealing with a chronic illness, so every once and awhile I like to stop and take stock of what I’ve accomplished.

1.) I participated as often as I was able in the American Headache & Migraine Association’s blogging carnival, by posting responses to prompts and sharing information on Facebook and Twitter.

2.) I launched a Teespring Campaign entitled “Calling All Migraine Warriors!” that featured purple t-shirts, tank tops, and hooded sweatshirts with the words “MIGRAINE WARRIOR” emblazoned on the front and the phrase “It’s NOT just a headache!” appearing on the back. This campaign made $89.23, all of which will go toward my CrowdRise fundraiser for The 36 Million Migraine Campaign.

3.) I was invited to be a guest speaker at Atkinson Family Practice where I gave a presentation to the staff about the complexities of living with chronic migraines and the importance of stopping the stigma associated with invisible illnesses. The total amount raised at this event was $54.00, all of which will go toward my CrowdRise fundraiser for The 36 Million Migraine Campaign.

4.) I have been providing my doctor’s office with purple ribbons and brochures and posters displaying migraine statistics, helpful blogs and websites, and ways to donate or get involved with the migraine community.

5.) I am in the early stages of creating, planning and implementing a Migraine Support Group at my doctor’s office.

6.) I took part in Author JP Summers’ “Stop the Stigma” Campaign by providing her with biographical information, as well as pictures of me on “healthy days” and “migraine days” to be made into banners accompanied by statistics and posted on various social media sites.

7.) I was named one of 2014’s Top Migraine Bloggers and Tweeters by The Daily Migraine.

8.) I became a member of the U.S. Pain Foundation and submitted my application to become a Pain Ambassador. More information on this as it becomes available.

9.) I submitted article/blog post proposals to several media outlets, hoping to share my story of migraines and chronic invisible illness with as wide an audience as possible. I aim to show others like me that they are not alone and to educate and raise awareness of the debilitating nature of migraines and chronic invisible illness among society in general.

10. I am putting the finishing touches on both a Facebook page and a website that will correspond with this blog. I am excited at the prospect of advancing my presence on the web and in my community.

*BONUS*: I am kicking a creative idea around that may just begin to manifest itself very soon. It’s a fun, silly, fulfilling activity in which I engage that might just be the perfect addition to my advocacy work. Stay tuned!

WOW! I accomplished a lot this past month! Thanks to anyone and everyone who lent me a spoon or two along the way. I couldn’t have done it without you. Migraine & Headache Awareness Month was a definite success. Now on to July! (What? You didn’t really think I was going to stop blogging and advocating just because June was over, did you?) Here’s to a pain-free July with an abundance of spoons!