“Do I have a chronic illness? Yes. Do I like that? Obviously no! Does it define me? Hell no! “

“Its hard to explain really, and probably even harder for someone to understand, but I pretty much function on a daily basis with some form of a headache, sometime mind numbing pain, other times just a general feeling of pressure. “

“I wanted to know what I needed to pack, how to effectively plan a trip, what sorts of things I would need to be prepared for, as a guy who struggles with anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.”

Lynette Benton is a memoir, personal essay, family history, and creative writing instructor in Kentucky.

Pamela is a nurse practitioner in Canada who writes about chronic pain and migraines.

Have you ever found yourself stuck in an airport and needing a pen, but the thought of talking to a stranger would falsely persuade you that you don’t need it? Here’s advice for if you find yourself in a similar situation!