Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Karen Lee Richards and Stacy Stone, both writers and patient advocates. They're joining me here to write about issues important to patients working toward the best possible healthcare and health.
Karen Lee Richards’ career as a writer and patient advocate grew out of her determination to learn more about her own illnesses. Karen first became ill in 1989, but it would be seven more years before she finally received an accurate diagnosis. As she began to talk with other fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (aka myalgic encephalopathy) patients, Karen discovered that her experience was not unusual. At that time it was taking an average of approximately five to seven years for someone to be diagnosed with one of these illnesses. Understanding the frustration, fear and anguish patients go through during those years of not knowing what is wrong with them, Karen decided to do whatever she could to raise awareness about FM and ME/CFS. You can find Karen at ChronicPainConnection and KarenLeeRichards.com.
Stacy Stone developed TMJ disorder when she was mauled by a neighbor's dog in
1992. The disorder causes her symptoms ranging from migraine headaches,
to chronic facial pain and vertigo. She has been diagnosed with post
traumatic stress disorder from the dog attack, chronic daily headaches
and migraines, malocclusion from improper orthodontics, degenerative
disc disorder in her neck, and various neuropathies.. all of which were
symptoms of a much bigger problem, TMJ disorder.
All of this led Stacy to begin working as a patient advocate. She has
been the executive director of the non-profit organization, TMJ Friends
since its inception in April 2005. They have about 600 members and are
growing every day. Stacy has been blogging since 2004 and recently
joined the team on ChronicPainConnection, part of the HealthCentral
Network.
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