Every person living with headache or migraine has a story worth sharing. The Strength in Every Story series features real voices from the community—people who have faced stigma, navigated complex care journeys, and found ways to thrive. Their experiences offer hope, validation, and solidarity to others on the same path, reminding us that no one has to face headache disease alone.
Fighting the Same Pain for 40 Years
For decades, Charlene’s life has unfolded in two worlds: the one she tries to live in and the one her chronic migraine pulls her into without warning with intense pain and aching loss.
Finding ‘Joy Shots’ Amidst the Pain
Ann has lived with migraine for over 60 years, beginning in 1963, when she was 7 or 8 years old. It started after she fell from a high platform while attempting to use a rope swing, landing hard on the back of her head and losing consciousness.
From Childhood Struggles to Finding Hope
Kimberly has been battling headache disease since she was just 4 years old. As a young child, she vividly remembers the debilitating pain and sensitivity to light that would leave her curled up in her room.
Generational Pain and Missing Conversations
Jyn, a U.S. Navy veteran, was nearly 21 years old when she experienced her first migraine attack while serving aboard at an aircraft carrier. Now, she continues to manage her migraine while also navigating the challenges of raising a child who lives with the condition as well.
Holding Onto Joy Through Hardship
From identifying hormonal triggers that contributed to her pain to navigating a lifetime of treatment, Hope shares her journey of resilience and finding balance while living with migraine.
Living with Intractable Migraine
Jaime shares her journey of perseverance, finding community, and addressing medical biases to bring awareness to migraine and headache disorders.
Navigating Life with Migraine
Kelly’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of finding the right support system when living with a chronic headache disorder.
Overcoming the Challenges of Cluster Headache
Ashley’s journey with cluster headache began at just 18 years old, right as she was starting college. What started as brief, stabbing pains in her head quickly morphed into debilitating cluster headache attacks that would last for hours at a time.
Rediscovering Strength in the Face of Migraine Disease
In her early twenties, Kori experienced her first severe migraine attack while working as a Special Education teacher’s aide. It struck suddenly when taking her kids to music class. As the pain engulfed her head, Kori found herself unable to move, frozen in place from pain.
Rising Above Tension Headache and Migraine
For Megan, headache attacks have been a constant companion for most of her life. From high school through her career, she has balanced the demands of daily life while managing frequent tension headache and migraine attacks.
Rising After the Fall
Katy’s journey with headache and migraine has been a relentless battle. Yet, she continues to navigate life with strength in the face of an invisible yet relentless condition.
Strength Behind an Invisible Disease
Ronetta, a 51-year-old woman living in Connecticut, has been navigating the challenges of migraine disease for over two decades. Her journey began in high school when she experienced her first migraine attack, though it wasn’t until after college that she received a formal diagnosis.