Earlier in March, St. Petersburg, Florida resident Cathy “Cookie” Cottrell was announced as one of the 15 winners of the National “Rewrite Your Day” contest. The 15 winners symbolized the Chronic Migraine diagnosis which is (Quote) “a neurological condition that brings on 15 or more days with a headache per month, and lasting four hours a day or longer, and 8 or more headache days associated with Migraine. Migraines are also know for their symptoms of visual disturbances, nausea and/or vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound!” As a result, many “Special” moments are lost in the life of a person who has “Chronic Migraine”!
Cathy had such an inspirational story that I wanted to share it with you. I believe we’ve all experienced headaches in our lives, but as I learned more about Chronic Migraine headaches, it really “opened my eyes” about the ongoing challenge Chronic Migraine sufferers had to deal with on a daily basis.
We’ll start at the beginning with some information about the “Rewrite Your Day” Contest…
Allergan, Inc ,(Quote) “A multi specialty health care company established more than 60 years ago with a commitment to uncover the best of science and develop and deliver innovative and meaningful treatments to help people reach their life’s potential, and The National Headache Foundation (NHF),(Quote) “a nonprofit organization that has pioneered the way headaches have been diagnosed and treated over the last 41 years, jointly sponsored the “Rewrite Your Day” Campaign.
Their intent was to provide a nation wide educational venture that would inform, enlighten, and bring more understanding about debilitating symptoms and problems associated with Chronic Migraine! They would also provide a “Rewrite Your Day” contest where a chosen winner who lives with Chronic Migraine would be able to “recreate” a special day or event that they lost in their life, due to Chronic Migraine!
Recreating a day for this contest was just perfect for Celebrity Event Planner, Mindy Weiss, who came onboard with the campaign and would actually recreate a “lost” special day for each of the 15 winners of the contest! 25th anniversary.Their son and his girlfriend were joining them for the celebration at Disney World. Cathy’s Chronic Migraine “reared it’s head” and from neck stiffness, to overall weakness, Cathy, who tried to enjoy the fun, but due to ongoing and ever increasing pain she spent most of the trip in the hotel room, and certainly missed out on the opportunity to enjoy her “silver” anniversary! .
Regarding Chronic Migraine Cathy said, (Quote) “I’m sharing my story so that others living with Chronic Migraine will get the help they need by speaking with a headache specialist who can find a treatment plan that is right for them! I’m so excited to get the chance to work with celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss to re-create my silver wedding anniversary and renew my vows to my husband in front of my closest family and friends.”
Here’s a picture of Cathy and her husband enjoying this special event, as Cathy was able to “Rewrite HER Day!”
Cathy and her husband celebrate at Disney World as a winner of the “Rewrite Your Day” Contest.
In Conclusion:
Ms.Weiss planned a wonderful Disney-themed ceremony where Cathy and her husband would “renew” their vows, and partake in an Epcot’s “Tastes of the World” dinner with their guests ! It was a perfect “new beginning”, and “Rewrite for the day” that Cathy had lost due to Chronic Migraine.
(Quote) “Adults 18 and older who think they may have Chronic Migraine should seek advice from a qualified neurologist, headache, or pain specialist, who can manage the condition.”
Be sure to visit the following links for more topical information:
Allergan, Inc:
http://www/Allergan.com
National Headache Foundation (NHF):
http://www.headaches.org
Rewrite Your Day (for more Chronic Migraine stories):
http://rewriteyourday.mychronicmigraine.com
AND:
Webpage for Celebrity Event Planner ~ Mindy Weiss:
http://www.mindyweiss.com
(quotes and/or paraphrased information obtained from Allergan-Fact Sheet,www.allergan.com, www.headaches.org, www.rewriteyourday.com)