A quiet corner for chronic pain
Keeping you company in the moments you feel betrayed by your body or trapped in your mind
Too many of us feel utterly alone while fighting for our health
When you're stressed sick by daily life, managing chronic illness, or feel like no one really understands, you’ve got someone here who gets it.
My name is Maya (but my friends call me Mags or Maggie, you pick). I've lived with chronic pain for +20 years, fighting my way through the healthcare system with “invisible” illness and complex comorbidities.
Living with chronic pain and illness isn't like healing a broken arm or being sick with the flu. When well-meaning friends or coworkers ask if you're "feeling better yet," it can be tough to explain that you're not.
And that there may never be a “healed” finish line to cross.
So, I hope that by sharing my experiences, you might find something helpful or feel like you’ve got a big sister to keep you company.
-Mags
A health advocacy project inspired by chronic pain patient
(& former roommate), Luigi Mangione
![Image Credit: [Steph] Illustration of Luigi Mangione smiling](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/679bef8bf7792a346b85b6ea/4fcce329-dba5-4e16-b1d5-cda15211ea04/Luigi+Mangione+Sketch.jpg)
“How do you live in pain…every day?” Luigi asked me, stunned
Standing around the kitchen counter of our flatshare, I was sharing my experience as a chronic illness patient – all the ER visits, tests, surgeries.
Luigi and I bonded over a shared experience of living in chronic pain and the frustration that comes with losing parts of yourself. We found in each other a friend who didn't need explanations on bad days (and who appreciated a cotton-candy sunset while our housemates were out surfing).
Our conversations revealed something I had long sensed: too many of us are fighting health battles alone, even when surrounded by people who love us.
This healthcare and patient advocacy project exists for everyone who's ever felt this isolation — felt stressed sick.
Whether you're undiagnosed, years into your journey, or supporting a loved one, this project is dedicated to you. Here you’ll find:
Patient advocacy strategies learned through necessity
Resources for patients and caregivers
Mindfulness and meditation practices I’ve used (including the magic of animal therapy)
A “big sis” perspective on resilience, without toxic positivity
my journal
