Everyone loves a comeback story - and so it is at For Grace as we're still seeking submissions for our Share Your Story Project's 2026 theme. We all know the tales of how high-impact chronic pain can derail a life, turning it upside down and inside out. But what about those stories where someone's pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, dusted themselves off and moved on to a thriving new life? If you have a comeback story of redemption and renewal from the depths of chronic pain, link here to find out how to submit. We'd love to hear from you!
As they say, all good things must come to an end. And so it is that Team For Grace has discontinued its fight to land a Pain Awareness Month resolution in the Golden State for the 23rd year in a row. With language that touts women as under-served for pain care, sadly headwinds at the Capitol have turned against women's issues in 2026, making this change too huge a challenge to overcome. As disappointed as we are for the organization as well as the hundreds of thousands of women in pain who reside in California, we gratefully thank authoring legislators and their staffers who supported this incredible run over the years. Rest assured, we'll be asking all to call their legislator's offices in September to start the push for 2027!
Pleased to report For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint has reached the half-way mark of her memoir that will focus on the impact of early trauma on the development of chronic illness as well as the pitfalls of family dysfunction and the powerful choice of estrangement for self-preservation. As a follow up to her 2013 Battle for Grace, Cynthia has spent years studying how trauma sets up the body for bad outcomes - and she hopes, when completed, Scapegoat: How Childhood Trauma and Family Dysfunction Nearly Took My Life and How I Survived will help women in pain identify their trauma, find release and move on to post-traumatic growth.
Check out our June Story of the Month as we continue to spotlight comebacks over the dregs of chronic pain. 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.
