Daily Inspiration: Meet Kristal Kent

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristal Kent.

Hi Kristal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a disabled Army Veteran living with Fibromyalgia and served with the 256th Combat Support Hospital (256th CSH). I worked within the Personnel (HR) department, then after September 11th, 2001, I was re-assigned to the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) of the 256th CSH. After being medically discharged due to injuries, I stayed on with my unit, the 256th CSH, and volunteered for 2 ½ years as the Family Readiness Group Leader, re-invigorating the program to become a supportive extension of the unit for the soldiers and their families. During my time as the FRG Leader, I upstarted a Food Pantry to assist the Unit’s soldiers struggling with food sustenance, coordinated a resource list of federal, state, and local support and assistance resource programs for soldiers and families, along with hosted “Readiness” educational weekend to ensure soldiers and Military Families were prepared for deployment. My Volunteerism as FRG Leader was officially recognized with a Commendation from the U.S. Department of the Army. I also worked in Social Services for over 20 years in a variety of roles, from Adult Advocacy Coordinator, Care Coordinator, Assertive Community Treatment Specialist, Benefits Coordinator and Supported Employment Services, assisting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions and Veterans alike.

As a Veteran living with Fibromyalgia, I identified the lack of support, healthcare options and education for those living with Fibromyalgia, especially Veterans. To address the gap in healthcare and community support, I founded the initiatives, “The Fibromyalgia Pain Chronicles” and non-profit organization “Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia,” to address the inequities in healthcare. Through these initiatives, I engage in VA Policy Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy and Systems Advocacy to create positive change for those living with Fibromyalgia. I also provide support, educational resources, and advocate on behalf of those living with various Chronic Pain Conditions, Rare Diseases, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

My advocacy work on behalf of the Veteran and Fibromyalgia Communities has been recognized by several agencies/organizations in which I received numerous awards for my advocacy work. In 2018, I received the Wego Health “Patient Leader Hero Award” and the “Best in Show on Facebook Award” for my advocacy work. In 2019, I received the “Fibro Warrior of the Year” Award from the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America along with being named the “Warrior of the Week” in 2020 by UK Fibromyalgia which is based in the United Kingdom. In May 2021, I was presented with a Commendation from the State of Ohio House of Representatives, for my advocacy work through Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia. In August 2022, I was chosen by Health Union, as the recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Advocacy Award,” through the Social Health Awards program. In 2023 my organization, Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia, received a Congressional Commendation of Recognition for Fibromyalgia Advocacy, presented by Congresswoman Nanette Diaz – Barragan of California’s 44th District. In addition, in 2023 I was the Co-Producer, Co-Director, Co-Writer, Casting Director, and Cast Ensemble of the award-winning independent short film documentary, “Veterans and the Scourge of Invisible Illness,” which was officially selected to be shown at several film festivals and garnered several awards including: 2 Best Short Film Documentary Awards, Best TV/Web Series Certificate of Achievement Award, and an Honorable Mention of Recognition. Finally, in 2024 and 2025, my organization, Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia, received commendations form the Ohio House State Representatives and State of Ohio Senate, for our awareness and advocacy initiatives on behalf of Women Veterans and the Fibromyalgia community.

I have served on the Health Union Patient Leader Committee; she previously served 3 years as a Board of Trustee for the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America along with previously served as a Board Member on the Wego Health Patient Advisory Board. Kristal is currently a member of Society for Participatory Medicine, Social Health’s Patient Leader Network, a Co-op member of Savvy Cooperative and a member of the American Legion.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges in advocacy work has been building awareness and credibility around a condition that is often misunderstood or invisible to others. Fibromyalgia affects millions of people, yet many patients still face stigma, delayed diagnoses, and misconceptions about the legitimacy of their symptoms.

From an organizational standpoint, advocacy often means operating with limited resources while trying to create meaningful impact on a national scale. Much of the work involves educating the public, connecting patients with reliable information, collaborating with healthcare professionals and community leaders, and finding creative ways to keep important conversations moving forward.

Another challenge has been helping ensure that Veterans and individuals living with chronic pain feel seen and represented. There are many voices within the chronic illness community, and I believe it is important that Veterans living with fibromyalgia and related conditions have a seat at the table as these conversations evolve.

At the same time, these challenges have become some of my greatest motivation. Every awareness campaign, educational initiative, proclamation effort, or message from someone who says they finally felt understood, reinforces why this work matters and why continuing to advocate is so important.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do sits at the intersection of health advocacy, community leadership, public education and social impact. I am the founder of the organization Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia (VVFF) and creator/blogger of The Fibromyalgia Pain Chronicles (TFPC). Both VVFF and TFPC provides resources, support, and educational information to the Veteran and Fibromyalgia communities, along with engage in Legislative and Healthcare Policy advocacy.

I often describe my advocacy work as mission-driven community leadership that blends public education, digital communications, and social impact initiatives. While the work centers on fibromyalgia and veterans’ health, the broader mission is building awareness, creating connections, and influencing cultural conversations surrounding chronic illness and invisible disabilities.

In many ways, advocacy functions much like a purpose-driven organization: identifying unmet needs, developing educational resources, building partnerships, engaging communities, and creating initiatives that produce measurable impact. My goal has always been to use storytelling and education as tools for change while giving a voice to communities that have historically been underrepresented in public conversations about health and disability.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am an accredited, certified dog trainer and licensed animal psychologist. Through my expertise, I founded the #Paws4Fibro movement, using social media to raise awareness for Fibromyalgia and highlight the vital role pets play as support systems for the Fibromyalgia and Veteran communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.veteranvoicesforfibromyalgia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefibropainchronicles/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FibroPainChronicles/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefibromyalgiapainchronicles
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/VeteranVoices4Fibro