My name is Nancy and I live in chronic pain every day. I have been living in pain for the past 26 years and for 20 of those years no one could tell me what was wrong with me. In 2003 I had a doctor finally tell me I have fibromyalgia, but that is not all. I have scoliosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, sacroiliac diseases, Osteoarthritis.

I suffer from muscles spasm, muscles aches, joint aches; I have burning of the hips, knee pain, ankle pain and now foot pain. I have a hard time with daily life, this has affected me in many ways, but what hurts me the most is that people don’t believe I can be in as much pain as I say I am in and can’t understand why I can’t work. I have what is called the invisible disability, because people can’t see it when they look at me.

Just recently I was approved for disability and it felt so good to have someone finally believe me. I get through my day, by reading and writing. That is how I forget for a short time what I am going though and for a limited time I can put my pain on the shelve.

Heather will be painting one of my pains for me, so please keep your eyes out for my two little mean men playing tug a war with my muscles.

Nancy