Spotlight: Eileen Gray

Spotlight: Eileen Gray Blog: Fire in My Brain http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com Blogging since: November 2007 Migraines: Since age 13 Work: I work in the billing department of a hospital radiology group. Volunteer: As a forum moderator on Teri Robert's www.mymigraineconnection.com. At the local animal shelter where my husband works.

What made you start your blog?
I was looking for an outlet beyond the posting I was doing at My Migraine Connection (MMC). A blog would let me keep all my thoughts together and help me reach a wider group of people. Maybe my experiences would help others know they’re not alone.

What motivates you?
My passion to learn more about migraine disease. I also like to shout out my fellow bloggers, especially when they’re doing special events, like Diana’s blog carnival at Somebody Heal Me, or the annual poetry contest hosted by MAGNUM, Help for Headaches and MMC. I like to keep people up to date on deadlines for registering and participating in them.

How has migraine disease affected you professionally?
Most patients I talk to on the phone suffer from cancer and other chronic conditions. I know first hand that it can be hell to find a good doctor. I see every day families that are barely getting by as their medical bills pile up. I know what it’s like to be confused about medical bills, and what a relief it is when someone is kind and helpful. So I strive to be that friendly voice on the line.

What frustrates you most?
That after all these years, we still don’t have a cure. That it takes years to develop an effective preventive treatment.

I’m also frustrated by all the misperceptions about the disease. Most people I meet think migraine is just a bad headache. Once, a neurologist told me my migraines would stop if I got pregnant. Can you imagine? Migraineurs need to band together to raise awareness!

How’s your social life?
I used to love to get together with friends, have a couple drinks and stay out late. Now I can’t drink because my preventive medications affect me so quickly. And because the pills make me tired, I don’t stay out late. My friends who don’t have migraines try to understand, but it’s tough. The only non-migraineur who gets it is my husband. He sees how hard I battle day in and day out just trying to be well.

Who has helped you the most?
Teri Robert has changed my life. Her book changed my life. Every time I think about it I start to cry. Without her, I would still be silent, thinking I was destined to live in pain the rest of my life.

Describe your advocacy work.
I’m doing everything I can to raise awareness for the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. Teri is so strong in her convictions; she inspires me every day to stay strong, to fight for more funding, to fire that doctor when you deserve better!

I feel like I've finally found my calling. The way a disease can be a blessing and a curse. Of course I wish I didn’t have migraines. But I wouldn’t want to give up the people I’ve met, or the person I’ve become because of them. If I can accomplish even a fraction of what Teri Robert has, then I’ll have fought a good fight.

Learn more about Eileen.

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