ID for accessibility: Photo of couple lovingly holding hands. There is a myth that needs to be broken. That myth is that people with a disability and chronic illness shouldn’t fall in love or be in a relationship. I have had chronic health conditions since my childhood. In my teen years my conditions became more severe and multiplied, I developed the rare condition of trigeminal neuralgia (though I would not receive my official diagnosis until almost a decade later). I remember the fear that struck me, "Who would want to be with someone with so many health conditions and who may not even be able to kiss them?" From an early age, I was taught I was a burden and undeserving of love. I was a "burden" to my parents, my pastor, my Sunday school teacher, and even to a supposedly loving god. Once my health conditions started showing up and getting worse, I was then a burden to a future spouse, if I should even date or find someone who wanted t...
Laura is a woman with dark brown hair and green eyes. She is wearing glasses and smiling. Laura holds up a white, dark blue, and teal book. The title of the book is Facial Pain: Living Well with Neuropathic Facial Pain I was honored to be able to write a chapter for the new book, Facial Pain: Living Well with Neuropathic Facial Pain! When I decided to share my story in this book I wanted to make sure I shared the message that I learned, and that is, pain and joy can coexist. You can still have a beautiful life even with the pain of TN. I'm thankful to the wonderful editor of this book Anne Brazer Ciemnecki, The Facial Pain Association (FPA), and The Young Patients Committee (YPC) for this amazing opportunity. You can buy the book here ! The Facial Pain Association and the Young Patients Committee are an insightful and supportive resource for facial pain patients and their loved ones!