Thanksgiving quotes we can use every day
Quotes are some of my favorite things. Some of them I read or hear and they go in one ear and out the other. Then there are some that...
We have to stop beating ourselves up when we are in pain
Chronic pain reminds me of a bully that picks on kids in the schoolyard every day. Like the bully, chronic pain does not follow any rules and after multiple...
How getting lost in physical and mental pain helped me find myself
In the summer of 2001, I developed a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson’s and essential tremor. In the very beginning,...
What can we do to find peace when we are struggling?
If you are struggling with anything in life, a question to ask yourself is, “what can I do on a daily basis that puts me in a position to...
Isolating ourselves to feel less alone
This may sound like a strange title so let me explain. I live with a health condition called dystonia, which is a neurological movement disorder. It is the third...
How life before and after chronic pain from dystonia changed my entire world
For most of my 21 years with chronic pain and other symptoms from dystonia, a neurological movement disorder, I viewed it as a curse; an evil intruder that ruined...
Nature versus nurture when it comes to chronic pain and illness
If you live with a health condition, as I do with a chronic movement disorder called dystonia which is accompanied by pain, I have to be very careful how...
Turning suffering upside down
Having lived for over 20 years with chronic pain and persistent involuntary muscle contractions from dystonia, a neurological movement disorder, I have experienced a lot of suffering. If you...
Trying to put pain into perspective
This year marks the 21st anniversary when devastating chronic pain from dystonia took over my life. Within months after my first symptoms, I went from a very active, social,...
Tips for becoming more self-empowered when living with a chronic health condition
When we are faced with a limiting health issue where performing “simple” everyday activities becomes a challenge, our self-confidence and self-worth can dwindle. This can happen with any health...
Listening to our body to help reduce pain and anguish
Having lived over 20 years with chronic pain from dystonia (a neurological movement disorder) in order to best manage my condition, I have to be very mindful of the...
Striving to find balance when in pain and everything feels off balance
I am always striving to find balance in my life, as I know most people are. Because my neck is off-center from a neurological movement disorder called dystonia, it...
Coming to terms with painful challenges is hard!
Life is filled with endless ups and downs. The first 5 of my ongoing 20 years living with dystonia were pretty much nothing but down times. I experienced the...
