If I could change the world

I haven’t given much thought about how to change the world. That’s too big for me to comprehend. Patient education is far more important to me.  I do address the issue with family and friends or when it comes up in conversation.  However, I have a greater passion for educating patients themselves. So few patients truly understand the severity of their headache disorder. They just keep taking OTC medicine over and over again with little thought of the long-term impact.

Even health care professionals are poorly informed!  I once had a conversation with an X-ray technician who shared that she was getting migraines several times each week. She was surprised when I was alarmed and encouraged her to see a headache specialist right away to get the attacks under control.

I understand that someone does have to make efforts to change the world on a larger scale.  I guess that’s just not meant to be me for now. I spend my “spoons” 1) sharing my story so others will know they are not alone and 2) educating headache patients about the need to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

I suppose that sooner or later I will branch out into wider advocacy efforts and reach out to the broader public.  I guess I still feel uncomfortable with the idea because it feels a bit too much like preaching to me. I prefer to talk to people one-on-one and give it that personal touch.  If I can change the hearts and minds of just a few people whose lives are made better through good treatment, then I will change the world for generations.

I don’t need to testify before Congress or speak to a crowd of doctors to change the world. Those who can do the most damage with stigma will not change their minds. I believe we must reach those who are questioning the outdated biases or have not yet formed an opinion. I’m much more interested in helping the young mother with 3 kids and chronic migraine. Now that’s a way to change the world.

The 2014 Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, is dedicated to Dreaming of a World without Migraine and Headache Disorders. The 2014 Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is a project of American Headache & Migraine Association.