” It always seems impossible until it’s done”, Nelson Mandela
I have recently heard Sirena Dufault give a presentation of her 800 mile hike from Utah to the US -Mexico border.
The two years she spent hiking the Arizona trails were intended to raise awareness about fibromyalgia. Hiking has become her passion. You can see her website at www.aztrail4fms.org.
Sirena was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1998 after being hit by a car and bedridden for many weeks, unable to do very much physical activity. Two years ago she began slowly walking, gradually increasing her activity until she decided to actually begin hiking. The story she tells is one of courage and perseverance. I have asked her if she would reply to my questions in an interview format and she has agreed.
Sirena: I am always apprehensive about writing such stories as yours as it can be very disheartening and demoralizing for those of us who can barely do mild exercise let alone the heavy backpacking and hiking you have done. At the same time yours is an inspiring one. What would you say to the people with fibromyalgia who simply cannot do any exercise without increased pain and fatigue?
Barbara, it was really nice to meet you the other night- thanks for attending my presentation! Before answering your question, I would like to correct a piece of information in the above article. I have had fibromyalgia for 13 years. I began walking and working up to small hikes ELEVEN years ago, not two. It is a very important point to clarify because what I have achieved in terms of working up to a hike of this length has been a very long, slow process. But I think that taking it slow and incrementally raising the difficulty level of my hikes is what ultimately aided my success.
When I started “hiking”, it was only taking my dog for a walk in the neighborhood. The main reason I started walking was the thought that if I was going to be in pain all the time, I might as well get something out of it. So even though I would be sore for sometimes days after even a short walk, it gave me a sense of accomplishment that staying at home did not. It was a long road from being in bed most of the time to the level of activity I have today.
I can only speak from my own experience, but movement in general, while sometimes painful, has been my key to feeling well despite having fibromyalgia. Don’t overdo it, stay within your limits and very gradually build up the levels of activity.
And it doesn’t have to be hiking! Find some sort of movement that appeals to you and will keep your interest. Take a class- a beginning yoga class, a tai chi class, a dance class in your favorite style. If you are taking a class, take the time to introduce yourself to the teacher and explain your limitations. If you don’t feel comfortable with a class, do a DVD in the privacy of your own home.
Thanks for clarifying those issues, Sirena. Sorry I did not understand this as the presentation was primarily about the uplifting and magnificent wonders of the trails and I did not get a good sense of the fibromyalgia. I admire your great strength and courage to have accomplished so much! PACING YOURSELF, not overdoing exercise/movement. It is extremely important! Good point!