I am disabled due to Fibromyalgia and Trigeminal Neuralgia. I have had chronic pain and illness my whole life – some of my earliest childhood memories were as a patient. I’ve lost chunks on my youth and young adulthood to loss of vision, tumors, surgery, pain, limits on physical activities and career choices. After my children were born I lost cognitive processing function, more mobility and my ability to drive more than a few minutes.

I have spent my entire life being told my symtoms are in my head. Now my younger daughter has chronic pain. Her access to health care and IDEA keep her able to attend school, cope with pain induced anxiety/depression and participate in activities comfortably.

I “walk” my for two young daughters . I “walk” for my mother and father, who never stopped advocating for my healthcare. I “walk” for abuse survivors who have been triggered by the behavior of the President elect. I “walk” my friends and friends’ children of non binary gender and/or sexuality who stand to lose legal rights and personal safety. I “walk” for the hundreds of thousands in this country who now live in fear of assault, bigotry, loss of healthcare and loss of educational access.

4) I’m a badass mama with fibromyalgia and trigeminal neuralgia. I’ve done an amazing amount of small small yet spectacularly cool things but am really just a regular wacky person, watching my kids grow into incredible young women. Read about parenting with disability and humor here… http://mafebsrock.blogspot.com