Thank you. Two simple words, but I mean them from the bottom of my heart. I've been coming to this website since November 2007 and since then so much has changed because of being here.

The MMC page and forum have changed my life. When I came to this website, I was scared, alone, did not know how to advocate for myself, did not know that I needed to change, did not know so many things about my disease or how to be an active member of my health care team.

Now, I know that I have a family of forum/MMC members who are there for me and I can be there for them. This website has given me the opportunity to listen, to share with, to support, to learn with, to grow with and to simply be with others on our journeys. When I meet someone outside of here who has Migraines or headaches, I refer them here .

I've learned to stand up for myself with my physicians, with healthcare staff and how to be a contributing/active member of my healthcare team as opposed to being passive and letting things happen that I didn't understand or agree with. I've learned that the most important thing is to learn as much as I can about this illness so that I am an expert on myself. I found out that physicans can fail us and it is our responsibility to take charge and get other opinions if necessary. I've found the courage to do that here.

As this is a disease that affects all family members, I can honestly say that this site has been of great help in educating my family, but also in supporting my family.

Through asking questions I have found options for treatment that I would not have known otherwise. The articles keep me up to date on what treatment options are coming out. How thrilling it is to be able to have an educated conversation with my headache specialist. To know the research, know the jargon, and know some treatment options even before I walk in the door. 

I have been disabled by my NDPH and Migraines for over 4 years now. I've been hosptialized countless times, gotten countless IV infusions, seen several specialists. My disease is still here. I still am fighting the hard fight of chronic pain and not giving up. Thank you for helping me do that. I have to have courage every day to face the pain and limitations that are there. Through this website, I have found coping skills to face each moment. Shareposts that point me to uplifting songs or ideas of how to keep positive.

Thank you, Teri, for your heart being so intertwined in our cause of Migraine disease & headaches. Thank you for fighting for us when we can't fight for ourselves and also encouraging us to join in the fight. Thank you for speaking your mind and not apologizing for it. Thank you for becoming so educated and going to conferences so that you can pass your knowledge on to us. I'm sure none of us will ever know or be able to appreciate how much you have given of yourself to make our lives better.

With any note of thank you, important people will enevitably be left out. Please know that to all of you who give of yourselves to this website and for us, I am speaking to you when I say thank you. To Nancy, to forum hosts (past and present), to Dr. Krusz, to the people who are a part of the community... Thank you to all of you who make this place possible. You will never know how many lives you've changed.

Kelly