Additional information
by Ana Aleksanyan (Illustrator), Melissa Swanson (Author)
Ravyn's DollHow do you explain Fibromyalgia to Your Child?
All the kids in class made paper dolls to show someone they love who is hurt or sick. When it's Ravyn's turn to share, she shows a paper doll of her mom - and it looks like there is nothing wrong!
Ravyn teaches the class that even though her mom looks healthy, she's not! Ravyn's mom suffers from fibromyalgia and its evil sidekicks. Ravyn's Doll is a simple and effective way to explain fibromyalgia to your child. In a way that is understandable to children. it shows that not all illnesses are visible and explains how living with an invisible illness affects families' daily lives. Ravyn's Doll describes and illustrates why mom or dad can't do the things they used to do - things that other moms, dads or other family members can do.
Other ResourcesContained within the book are internet sites and books to read to learn more about Fibromyalgia and other Invisible illnesses, such as Lupus, Lyme Disease, ME, CFS, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic migraine, and others.
A portion of the sale of each book will be donated to the International Support Fibromyalgia Network
Author Biography
Melissa Swanson is a chronic pain patient, advocate, and author. Through her Fibro Warriors Living Life Facebook page and blog, she offers positive encouragement, medical information, resources, and support to 20,000+ fibromyalgia and chronic pain patients. In addition, Melissa is a writer for ProHealth.com and a Program Director with the International Support Fibro Network. She has also served as editor and writer for Living Well with Fibromyalgia magazine.
ChronicPainDisorders.com and Healthline have both named Melissa's blog as one of the Best Fibromyalgia Blogs. Healthline says, "This Blog has just about everything you need to read on the pain and exhaustion brought on by the illness. Look for treatments, must-reads, facts, and more. This married, full-time working mom is a true warrior against the debilitations of fibro."
Melissa is a graduate of the Leaders Against Pain Scholarship Training, sponsored by the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association, and the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute. Melissa works with clients as a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor helping them learn tools to live with the chronic illness fibromyalgia. If you're looking for a cheerleader to be in your corner with a little bit of "tough love" when needed, Melissa is the one for you. She understands the struggles of trying to balance family life and work while living with the challenges of fibromyalgia and its evil sidekicks.
