This October, during Facial Pain Awareness Month, I’m taking on the Monsal Trail Half Marathon to raise vital funds for the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association — and I’m doing it not just for myself, but for everyone living with the unimaginable reality of facial pain.

I was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) when I was just 28 years old. Since then, my life has been marked by daily challenges that many people can’t see — but I feel intensely. Trigeminal Neuralgia is often called “the suicide disease” for good reason: it causes unpredictable pain in the face, triggered by everyday things like talking, brushing teeth, or even a light breeze.

Running a half marathon in open countryside is no small thing when you live with TN. The wind and weather can actually increase my pain — but I’m doing this anyway, because I want to shine a light on this often misunderstood condition. My goal is to raise awareness and funds to support research into better treatments, and ultimately a cure, so others won’t have to endure what I have.

Please, if you’re able, donate what you can. Your support will help fund research, support those affected, and bring hope to so many of us living with facial pain.

Thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for standing with me.

#TrigeminalNeuralgiaAwareness #FacialPainMonth #RunForRelief #MonsalTrailHalfMarathon