Check out For Grace's August Story of the Month as we continue our look at the crossroads of chronic pain and social isolation. Kai Ocean looked forward to serving her country and joined the Army to do just that. Unfortunately, early in her service, she found herself increasingly isolated due to an emotionally abusive marriage. This, along with battling anxiety from the rigors of military training, soon caused her body to express itself in the form of fibromyalgia. After extracting herself from this toxic relationship while re-engaging with healthy communities and a fulfilling career, Kai now experiences far less pain and enjoys the autonomy that brings her so much wellness.

For Grace's 2024 Resolution Proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month and September 1st as Women In Pain Awareness Day in California is now in its legislative home stretch.  We have received word from Fernando Rameriz, staffer at Senator Maria Elena Durazo's office, that the bill has been confirmed - and will be moving full stream ahead once the legislature returns from summer recess. This will be For Grace's 22nd year in a row leading this effort to bring much needed awareness of the plight of people with chronic pain to lawmakers in the Golden State.  Go, go, GO!

Check out For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint's latest column on Pain News Network!  One of the ways doctors and health experts sell women in pain short is underestimating how tough they are. Cynthia shares in this hard-hitting piece how she spent years bunkering from COVID due to her doctors saying it would be catastrophic if she ever contracted the virus. Now after catching it, and developing Long COVID, she questions what all the over-concern was about. Maybe these healthcare professionals need to learn a thing or two about the character of women in pain, give them the correct information - and trust they know what's in their own best interest.

Here’s another chance to catch For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint’s inspiring article, "When It Came to My Breast Cancer, I Did It My Way", that details her fight against cancer while avoiding a catastrophic CRPS flare. Debuting on HealthyWomen's homepage, now featured in this week's newsletter along with an accompanying social media reel promoting the piece, Cynthia shares her story of grit, grace and the strength to stand her ground as an empowered patient while building a healthcare team with her at the helm. Spolier Alert - Cynthia's doctors are calling her a miracle!