If I Have Seen Further: Looking back at 2013

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

--Isaac Newton

As most of you know, I am a patient with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and other chronic pain diseases.  I am also and RN, educator, author, and pain advocate.  The above quote is one of my favorites because it rings true for me. Without the support of the following people, I could not and would not do what I do.

Rich Carson, founder of ProHealth, and all the people there who do so much to advocate for Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome ( ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia, and all those who support my work as writer and blogger by sharing this information.

Jan Chambers, President and founder of the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic PainAssociation,  friend, and fellow participant in the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy initiative.

Myra Christopher and all the people at the Pain Action Alliance to Implement aNational Strategy  initiative who share my passion for human rights and allow me to advocate with them by supporting what I do as author, and blogger.

Cort Johnson, ME/CFS and FM advocate who offers a wealth of information to our community through his blog Health Rising http://www.cortjohnson.org/ and supports spreading the word about our books.

Karen Richards, health expert at Health Central, fibromyalgia representative for ProHealth, and friend who began her journey as patient and co-founder of the NFA.

Sharecare, the online health information giant who allows me to advocate for fibromyalgia as one of their health experts.

DevinStarlanyl, author, friend and colleague in the myofascial pain and fibromyalgia world who keeps me updated on the latest research and supported me years ago with her tireless education on myofascial pain syndrome while writing our first book.

Dr. Kevin White, friend , colleague, and fellow author, physician, medical editor and blogger. 

The physicians and other healthcare providers and guest bloggers who have collaborated with me on research interpretation and interviews.

My medical and writer colleagues, and fellow advocates who support me and comment on posts at Linked-In. 

My friends and fellow group and page moderators on Facebook and Google+ who go above and beyond to offer support to the many people suffering with chronic pain, FM, ME/CFS, myofascial pain, CRPS/RSD, Lupus, Migraine, Lyme's Disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, interstitial cystitis, arthritis and other painful condition, and to those who advocate for health promotion.

My friends and fellow patients who share the Relieving Pain in Kansas City, the PAINS-KC initiative. (Kansas City)

My friends and fellow patients at the East Valley Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group. (Phoenix)

All those who have endorsed our books with inside the cover reviews and those who help us spread the word and leave reviews on Amazon so that patients have tools to live their best life despite pain and disease.

And last but not least:

All my fellow Facebook and Google+ patients and patient advocates who suffer with various chronic pain disorders and illness.  THANK YOU for your comment and sharing of information in an effort to help the many people across the world who share this space with me.

If you are reading this, you know that affirmations are what get me through the day. I hope you will find strength by writing your own.

Adversity is only an obstacle when I fail to see the opportunity.

As I look back at 2013 with gratitude, love, and admiration for each of you, I can look ahead to the new year with hope and promise.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!