I am a Migraine and headache patient educator/advocate/community manager at Migraine.com and am active online on:

+ WEGO Health: Ellen S

+ Twitter: ESchnak

+ Facebook: Ellen Schnakenberg

+ YouTube: Antiquityhill

I am also a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and child of God..... and I'm not gonna let these durned Migraine beasties get me down!

Migraine attacks have been a part of my life for approximately 30 yrs, but they're not the beginning nor the end of the story. Unfortunately, I have a bad combination of health issues that make treating my pain very complicated. I have come to accept that I will probably never again be pain free, but that doesn't mean I can't live well despite it - it's my choice! Hope is what keeps me going...

I am "retired" (thanks to you Migraine and Dystonia) from work as an emergency dispatcher, glass artist, and equine reproduction manager. For fun I enjoy volunteering with local youth and emergency management, and stepping beyond my comfort zone to learn how to paint with oils.

My country home is in the picturesque rolling hills of Missouri, nestled between the cedars and the oaks. Hubby is my rock, and he and I carry on a quiet existence... with way too many beloved pets. (Can a life be truly lived without horsey nuzzles, kitty purrs and puppy kisses??) My 2 children are adults now, but I'll forever refer to them as 'my kids'.

I make a choice to live purposefully each day, and strive to maintain a positive, perky attitude and sense of humor. I never said it was easy, just that I do my best.

When I feel weak, here's what I try to remember -

"Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You do not quit when you're tired -You quit when the gorilla is tired." -Robert Strauss