"Making the unknown known is the important thing."
—Georgia O'Keefe
What's New
CRPS Highlighted in November Awareness Campaign

As part of US Pain Foundation's KNOWvember campaign to raise awareness of neuropathic pain, For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint shares her near 40 year journey with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Featured along with Dr. Peter Abaci, Toussaint tells how this confounding  disease, characterized by intense burning pain, radically changed her life at 21 years of age - and  that for years doctors dismissed her complaints as "all in her head." She caps the piece with why she started For Grace,  stating "I didn't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else."  

Podcast Covers the Healing Power of Expressive Therapy

Last week podcaster Pat Wetzel interviewed For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint on her latest episode of Bump In the Road.  This engaging conversation covers many topics on health and healing, with a  special focus on the power of expressive therapy (music, art, acting, etc.) as a driver for better wellness. Toussaint spoke about her love of singing - and how her latest CD, Crazy, inspires women in pain to follow their passion. Link HERE to catch this pitch perfect chat.

November’s Story of the Month

Continuing with our November Story of the Month,  we'll revisit stories till year's end that focus on trauma being a driver for persistent pain. Author Diana Whitney was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystisis in 2003 after a year of excruciating pelvic pain. Besides using conventional treatments, Diana enlisted the assistance of bodyworkers and holistic healers who explored previous pelvic-region trauma as her pain's root. Now pain-free, Diana is giving voice to the young woman's experience, and is "determined to be honest and open, to model self-love and resilience, and to see myself as a survivor, not a victim." Her book, You Don't Have to Be Everything, is an Amazon best seller, receiving accolades from Time  and the Boston Globe among  others.

Gender Bias Detailed in LA Times/Blue Shield #HearMe Campaign

For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint consulted on and is featured in an outstanding Los Angeles Times/Blue Shield of California-partnered #HearMe campaign that spotlights gender bias against women in healthcare. The "face" of the campaign is tennis legend Venus Williams who battled to have her Sjogren’s Sydrome taken seriously. Cynthia’s feature details how women's pain is often dismissed due to a healthcare system still mired in the misogynistic idea that women are, by nature, "hysterical." Women in pain, let’s continue the fight to have our voices heard!

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