On Friday December 1st we were very pleased to host the launch for a new comic raising awareness of fibromyalgia. Produced by the University of Dundee and our very own Ink Pot Studio, the comic illustrates the ongoing life transitions of those who have fibromyalgia as well offering information about the condition.

Project lead Professor Divya Jindal-Snape explains how the comic came about:

A pain clinic psychologist recently said to me that more needs to be done to raise the awareness of health care professionals about fibromyalgia. With some progress in research, there is a better understanding of fibromyalgia compared to what it was even two years ago. However, whether your own doctor, physiotherapist or other professionals understand this complex condition, still feels like a lottery. So one day lying in bed, with a fibromyalgia flare up, I started thinking of creating a comic about it. I fired off emails to a few people who all thankfully came on board.

This comic has been designed with the purpose of raising awareness of fibromyalgia amongst professionals, families, and communities. It illustrates the ongoing life transitions of those who have fibromyalgia as well as its impact on significant others. It highlights the importance of a strong support network to enable people to adapt to the multiple transitions triggered by fibromyalgia and flourish despite its substantial challenging consequences.

As well as Divya the contributors included health professionals, other people with the condition, comics scholars, and artists: Andrew Keiller, Lynn Kelly, Judith Langlands-Scott, Christopher Murray, Anj Snape, Jonathan B. Snape, Nik Snape, Freddie Warden, Bryan Whittingham, Elliot Balson (Artist), Zu Dominiak (Artist), Damon Herd (Artist), Rebecca Horner (Artist), Ashling Larkin (Artist), Norrie Millar (Artist), Helen Robinson (Artist), Letty Wilson (Artist).

The comic can be downloaded from the University website. If you would like a print copy please contact press@dundee.ac.uk