John Obenchain and his wife Sandra on their wedding day, before fibromyalgia changed their lives forever.
Those who have fibromyalgia know all too well its debilitating impact. And so do their loved ones.
Though there are new drugs to treat chronic pain, Lyrica by Pfizer and Cymbalta from Eli Lilly, and the National Institutes of Health and the American College of Rheumatology recognize fibromyalgia as a “diagnosable disorder,” but most insurance companies still refuse to cover treatment for it.
As a result, many who have fibromyalgia are forced to suffer needlessly or go broke trying to pay for medications.
John Obenchain is on a mission to change that.
He has spent most of his 11 year marriage watching his wife Sandra suffer from fibromyalgia, yet many people still don’t consider it to be real.
Today he launched a YouTube video and a “Fibro is Real” petition on Change.org to unite fibromyalgia caregivers and their families across the country.
“I’ve been blessed with perfect health, but my wife isn’t so lucky,” says Obenchain in the video. “Fibromyalgia: It’s hurt my wife in ways I’m sure you understand. The thing is, when fibromyalgia hurts my wife, fibromyalgia hurts me; it hurts our 10 year old son; it hurts our four year old daughter. In fact it hurts our entire family.”
In the two minute video, Obenchain shares how despite fibromyalgia taking everything from his wife, his family remains intact and are fighting for change together. And he appeals to like-minded families with the hope they will join him on this monumental crusade for change.
In the video, he acknowledges that he cannot accomplish the mission without help from millions of others affected in some way or another by fibromyalgia.
Obenchain launched the grassroots campaign to pressure insurance companies to recognize that fibromyalgia is real; that it affects not only those who suffer from it but their caregivers, friends and families as well.
“I’m sure you know how frustrating it is when I can’t get my little girl to understand why mommy can’t get out of bed in the morning,” says Obenchain in the “Fibro Is Real” video. “What’s truly frustrating, what’s truly aggravating is that I can’t seem to get anyone else to understand what’s going on with my wife… people they tell my wife that her symptoms aren’t real and she’s made them up.”
There are many fibromyalgia organizations: The National Fibromyalgia Association, LivingwithFibro.org, The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association, Inc., National Fibromyalgia Research Association, National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA), Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and Research (AFFTER). There are also support groups: DailyStrength.org, mdjunction.com and supportgroups.com.
Earlier this year, Obenchain created his own online fibromyalgia support group for fibromyalgia caregivers called The Alliance Against All Fibromyalgias (AAAFMS).
The video and petition campaign to can be found on Twitter with the #FibroIsReal
To read and/or sign the petition on Change.org, visit: http://ow.ly/bGwV1
Download Photos:
Before fibromyalgia:
http://ow.ly/bGwYT
After fibromyalgia:
http://ow.ly/bJDls
About John Obenchain/Alliance Against All Fibromyalgias: John Obenchain has been married to his wife Sandra for over 11 years. Together, they have faced her fibromyalgia diagnosis head on. As primary caregiver and head of the household, Obenchain has seen just how drastically fibromyalgia not only affects the patient, but the entire family. He started the Alliance Against All Fibromyalgias (AAAFMS) to help individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia as well as caregivers, families, friends, doctors, government policy makers and health care professionals. The free, open forum allows participants to ask questions, offer advice, share stories, and find comfort from others who may be going through similar situations with fibromyalgia. Obenchain, who has a master’s degree in business administration, has worked in the global pharmaceutical industry for over 15 years and is a professional public speaker registered with the National Speakers Association (NSA).
MEDIA CONTACT
Melissa Rogovin
PR firm: The Publicity Agency
(813) 708-1220 x7783
[email protected]
SOURCE: John Obenchain
Print Friendly
This press release is distributed by PR NewsChannel. Your News. Everywhere.
How wonderful it would be if everyone knew about and understood this disease.