If you are like me, then living in a world of pain is just part of the package of your existence.  Pain is pain, no matter how it manifests or what it is labeled: Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Osteoarthritis, Neuropathic Pain, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) as well as many others on the ever-growing list of syndromes and disorders.

I know first-hand that living with an invisible illness, which chronic pain of is, can mean being disregarded, misunderstood, or even blatantly being called a liar or crazy or whatever else makes someone else feel better for not being able or knowing how to help. This is one of the reasons why I shifted my blog’s focus to discussing living with FMS, because I understood that there were others going through similar experiences.

We, who are living with pain, need more community as well as resource outlets. This is why I was so glad when I received a message from Jessica Mendes, the founder of PainMaps.com, a resource site dedicated to providing resources for those who experience and those who want to understand chronic pain.

Mendes, who is a ghostwriter and intuitive translator, has been living with CRPS for many years, and began PainMaps as a way of providing outreach with an alternative touch; it’s about allowing ourselves to rethink how see, understand, approach, and care for pain, particularly (but not exclusively) in regards to CRPS, which is also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).  It is a collaborative site that invites contributions for all those who would care to share their experiences and knowledge.

Harkening back to my Boston days, I’d have to say that I am wicked excited about this site, and hope you will be as well.

 Let’s build more community by venturing new paths! Visit PainMaps.com!

Until Next Time,

D.