As I’ve said this week, I am experiencing a gnarly pain flare – both my RA and many symptoms of my CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome) have been difficult to control – and I’m here after a long night spent trying to quell some terrible stabbing nerve pains in my knees and hands (nighttime nerve pain can be so much more pronounced at times).

Today, I wanted to share that this month, September, is Pain Awareness Month, for those of us who live with the life altering effects of chronic pain. No matter the cause, and there are so many – autoimmune diseases, CRPS, osteoarthritis, illnesses like cancer and the effects of their treatments, back injuries and surgeries, the list is long – chronic pain changes the way a person goes through the world.

Every day is different with chronic pain, flare triggers are myriad, and sometimes days are excruciating for no discernible reason.

Unfortunately, the fatigue and brain fog that invariably accompany it are taxing on a person’s mental health as well.

There is a planner full of doctors appointments and organizers brimming with pills (and I am one of the patients who are truly *deeply* blessed to have those available to me in the first place).

It is profoundly draining at times.

I share this awareness post today also because of an occurrence in the world of my own severe pain syndrome, CRPS, this weekend.

Our condition, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, is already poorly understood and research is terribly underfunded. Especially for patients like myself, where the condition has become systemic, the news is grim for help on the way.

That said, literally on Friday, I was using one of our most solid CRPS support foundations to research some new gnarly headache symptoms I was experiencing and having difficulty controlling – then, on Saturday, that same organization made the announcement that it will be closing its doors due to worsening of the condition of the director and *lack of funding*

That’s right. One more support gone – and more likely to go, especially as America is suddenly getting more *beautiful* with all these research funding cuts.

In these fraught times, more help is needed for chronic pain patients, not less.

Please be aware this is happening – and speak out where you see it. Consider it when you vote. Notice the people in your life who may need you.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.