June is Lipedema Awareness Month - Let's Raise Our Voices!
How we can spread the word and create change
Guess what? June is here, and it's time to shine the spotlight on Lipedema Awareness Month. This is our moment to make some serious noise and spread the word about our condition far and wide.
Throughout this month, I'll be using this platform to share stories, knowledge, and experiences to help others understand what we're going through. So get ready to join me on this journey of empowerment, education, and breaking down barriers.
Let's make June the month when lipedema becomes a topic impossible to ignore!
When I first discovered I had Lipedema, I was scared. To help ease my fear, I scoured the internet, desperately seeking answers. But I felt like I was drowning in a sea of information.
As I went through my conservative care and got preauthorization for my surgeries, I realized I had the power to create a space where I could share all of the information I had gathered and also provide my medical and insurance expertise to help other Lipedema women.
However, my true passion is beyond just sharing information.
After some time, I wanted to show others how to navigate the complex medical and insurance processes involved in diagnosing and treating Lipedema. And through sharing this knowledge, I found an incredible community of women who share the same determination and resilience. We have faced countless obstacles but refuse to let them define us. Together, we have formed a sisterhood, supporting and encouraging one another every step of the way.
This month, I’ll focus on different aspects of Lipedema that I wish I’d known earlier. I’ll equip you with the knowledge and resources that have been a game-changer for me. My goal is to empower you to advocate for yourself and others and, most importantly, create a community where we can find support and understanding.
I want the world to see Lipedema as a legitimate medical condition that deserves proper recognition and treatment.
I want to demystify Lipedema and showcase how we can improve our quality of life with the right medical interventions.
During Lipedema Awareness Month, we can shine a light on our condition, dispel myths, and ensure accurate information reaches a broader audience. By joining forces and raising our voices, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by Lipedema.
So, how can we actively participate in spreading awareness this month?
Educating ourselves
Let's start by educating ourselves. Knowledge truly is power, and by learning more about Lipedema, its signs and symptoms, and the available treatment options, we can become our own advocates. We can empower ourselves to seek the care we deserve and help others do the same.
Sharing our personal stories
But let's not stop there. Sharing our personal stories has a profound impact. Our experiences have the power to touch hearts and change minds. Consider opening up about your journey with Lipedema through blog posts, social media, or even a heartfelt video. You never know whose life you might touch, whose questions you might answer, or whose doubts you might dispel.
Social media
Social media platforms offer an incredible opportunity to amplify our message. Let's use hashtags like #LipedemaAwareness, #LipedemaWarrior, or #JuneAwarenessMonth to reach a broader audience. Share informative articles, captivating infographics, and personal anecdotes that help others better understand our condition and challenges.
Community
And let's not forget the power of community. Hosting or participating in local events such as support group meetings, fundraising walks, or educational seminars can bring us together, creating a sense of camaraderie.
I want the world to see Lipedema as a legitimate medical condition that deserves proper recognition and treatment.
In each weekly newsletter, I’m switching up my format: I’ll continue to share information about conservative Lipedema treatment, surgery, and coverage through medical insurance. I’ll also start giving you information, links, and resources to connect you with other Lipedema communities. AND…include anything I’ve found helpful that I’ve added to help my self-care.
So get ready to join me on this journey of empowerment, education, and breaking down barriers. Let's make June the month when lipedema becomes a topic impossible to ignore!
Happy Lipedema Awareness Month!
Reads and Recommendations
Here’s a great ‘Burnt Toast’ podcast interview with Linda Gerhart, who has Lipedema. Virginia Sole-Smith also has a Substack newsletter and a new book about dismantling diet culture and fatphobia. (I’ve also added her newsletter to my list of recommendations).
Head over to Lipedema.org and find all of these resources for spreading the word!
Here’s a list from their website:
How You Can Help
Share our free brochure with friends, family, and clinicians. Download or order free copies of our brochure, available in English, Spanish, and German. Please include your mailing address and quantity for print copies.
Follow and share content from our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. During the month of June, we will be sharing patient and healthcare provider stories via live conversations on Instagram and will share details here soon.
Key Resources
What Women Need To Know About Lipedema Infographic. Our downloadable infographic includes vital information related to presentation, common symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis challenges, common misdiagnoses, and treatment.
Patient Self-Advocacy Guide. The Lipedema Foundation Patient Self-Advocacy Guide is intended to help Lipedema patients in the United States navigate their healthcare journey.
Lipedema Foundation Registry. Sign up for the Lipedema Foundation Registry to help support scientific research to improve the lives of Lipedema patients.
LegWork Clinical Trial Finder. Learn about clinical research studies seeking Lipedema patient participants through our LegWork Clinical Trial Finder.
Legato Library. Find the latest in Lipedema research via our digital Legato Library.
Newsletter. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates during Lipedema Awareness Month and beyond!
To celebrate Lipedema Awareness Month, you can register with Lipedema.org for the 21-Day Learning Challenge.
Join me in this challenge by going to Lipedema.org. During this challenge, you’ll learn more about diet, MLD, surgery, and what Lipedema is and network with other Lipedema women.
What I’m eating!
I found this granola at my local supermarket.
I love eating plain Greek yogurt with some fruit and granola. Looking for a granola that wasn’t grain-based, I found this yummy surprise! Check it out, and let me know if you have a granola love of your own.
Check out my socials and my new website!
Yes, I now have a website, www.getyourlipedemaapproved.com. I have four different programs, so take a look!
I also have an appointment calendar if you’d like to schedule a time to talk with me or sign up to work with me on getting preauthorization approval for liposuction. Schedule time here to talk with me.
Find Lipedema and Me on TikTok, Facebook, and Medium!
Take care,
Michelle