Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Rathsack.
Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I had my first migraine attack at age 5. I lived episodically (less than 15 migraine attacks a month) growing up and as an adult became chronic and daily. I started my blog My Migraine Life to feel less alone and connect with other people living life through migraine. Now I have been a migraine advocate for 9 years and grow in my knowledge and connection daily.
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?
Living with migraine is incredibly hard. I have really bad days and many bad moments experiencing a range of physical symptoms and emotions. It is hard to take steps forward when migraine takes me steps backward at any given moment. I have learned to lean on my support system and have faith in my migraine community with all that we are doing. Every day may not always be a step forward for me personally, but I know the advocacy I’m doing is taking us steps forward as a community and disease.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I write the blog My Migraine Life which tells stories of how I live life through migraine. It talks about products, therapies, self-care, medication, and emotions. I try to give tips on what helps me and ways to stay positive yet honest. My blog is supported by my social media, which helps connect the community while answering questions and promoting advocacy events.
Additionally, to my own blog, I work for a non-profit organization called Miles for Migraine. At Miles for Migraine, I am the director of a program that trains patients, support systems, and fellows in migraine advocacy. Our fellows are doctors specializing in headache medicine which is important to increase access to quality care. We are helping both doctors and patients connect with their disease and all the complications that come with it across the United States.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Living with migraine is isolating beyond what many can comprehend. The Covid-19 crisis shined a light on how damaging isolation can be and ways to avoid this appeared. Support groups became virtual and more people had access to help. As someone living with migraine, leaving the house and being social isn’t always possible. But with things like virtual support groups, education days, and Telehealth, asking for help seemed more possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mymigrainelife.net
- Instagram: @mymigrainelife
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mymigrainlife
- Twitter: @mymigrainelife
