Every time we speak to others about our experiences with Fibromyalgia and/or wear purple in May,

someone learns something new.

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This section is entitled "The Accidental Advocate" because we don't all wake up one morning and say to ourselves, "today, and from this day forth I want to be an advocate and an example for other people 24/7."   Like it or not, there are certain situations in life that force you to become an advocate.  When you have children, or, a parent becomes elderly or sick, you become an advocate. Once you are, or a loved one is, diagnosed with a chronic illness like Fibromyalgia, you will find yourself thrust into the world of advocacy.

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This author learned about advocacy while participating as a patient facilitator in a research project at Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago.

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You Might Be An Accidental Advocate if You've Ever Found Yourself:

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1. Explaining your pain (or that of a friend or family member), describing how that pain interferes with activities of daily living, and/or requesting treatment - even if you didn't want to go through the trouble of doing so.

2. Writing a letter or email to a news station, community program, school administrator, employer/supervisor, etc. to explain that Fibro is real and how it impacts people who struggle to live with it.

3. Accompanying a friend or family member to the doctor to help them understand their appointment.

4. Writing to lawmakers, speaking before a government agency, manning a table at a health fair, or walking in a fundraiser.

5. Attending a support group, patient education workshop/seminar/conference, or public awareness event to increase your personal knowledge about FM.

6. So passionate about FM (or something else) that you'll talk about it if there's anyone within earshot to listen.

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Next:   What is Advocacy?