What I learned led me to a good doctor, and effective treatment regimen, and a strong belief that we are each ultimately responsible for our own health. It also lead me to a new career as patient educator and advocate, and eventually, as a published author.

With the HealthCentral Network, I write extensively for MyMigraineConnection.com and love my work with the community there. Helping other people who are in the same situation that started me down this path is more rewarding than any work I have ever done.

Several years ago, a routine EKG showed that I'd had a heart attack. After much discussion, my doctors and I are certain we know when it happened. As too many people do, especially women, I thought the symptoms were merely indigestion and stress. I was already an active advocate in the areas of Migraine and diabetes, and in learning more about heart disease, I found myself volunteering as an advocate in that area as well.

Experience and affiliations:
I have become a well known author and patient advocate and was awarded the National Headache Foundation's Patient Partners Award in 2004 for "ongoing patient education, support and advocacy." I am one of four founding members and the current secretary of the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy.

My organizational memberships include:

• The American Heart Association
• The National Headache Foundation
• The International Headache Society
• NAMI
• Mental Health America
• The National Association of Professional Women

I am an advocate for

• The American Diabetes Association
• The American Hearth Association's You're the Cure
• The National Patient Advocate Foundation (Currently, the West Virginia State Policy Liaison for the NPAF).

My philosophy:
"Optimal health care can be achieved only when patients are educated about their health and patients and physicians work together as treatment partners in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Knowledge leads to empowerment over Migraine disease. By learning all we can about this disease, we can work more effectively with our doctors so that we can control our illness rather than it controlling us. We can regain or retain control of our lives. You're not alone, and there is hope."