What Is The Purpose Of My Pain?

Finding Meaning

Barby Ingle was living her dream and in her words was taking life for granted. She trained and performed cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics starting at age 4 through college. Straight out of college she started her own cheer/dance training company. A year later she was hired by Washington State University as the head spirit program coach. She's been battling chronic pain since 1997. First with Endometriosis which resulted in a full hysterectomy and left oophorectomy. Then in 2002, I developed Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), which is a progressive neuro-autoimmune condition that affects multiple systems in the body and needs to be treated early so that disability does not take over and TMJ. She lost her physical abilities was bed-bound for years. Using a wheelchair to get out of bed. It took 3 years to get a proper diagnosis and another 4 years to get the proper treatment. Barby knows firsthand how hard it is to continue looking for relief, perfect answers, and then coming up against healthcare professionals who blow you off or do not believe what you are saying could actually be what you’re experiencing. Barby said, "As I search for a cure, I became my own best advocate". Barby works sharing the information so that others do not have the same life struggles that she has. Even after seeing over 100 healthcare professionals, having major surgeries, that she didn’t need, complications such as internal bleeding, medication interactions, kidney stones, tumors, severe constipation and so much more – she did not give up or give in! Barby was tested on her limits and realized they are past the boundaries she placed on herself. She had to become the Chief of Staff of her Own Medical Team. Barby says, "If I can do it, anyone can." We all just need support and HOPE!
Barby is a best-selling author, reality personality, and lives with multiple rare and chronic diseases; reflex sympathetic dystrophy(RSD), migralepsy, PALB2-var, endometriosis, and other pain disorders. Barby is a chronic pain educator, patient advocate, and president of the International Pain Foundation. She is also a motivational speaker and best-selling author on pain topics. Her blog, reality shows, and media appearances are used as a platform to help her become an e-Patient advocate, and she presents at healthcare conferences, speaking publicly, sharing her story, educating and advocating for patients across the globe. She has received more than 20accommodations over the years for her advocacy work including; 2012 WEGO Health Ms. Congeniality, 2012 NAF You Are Our Hero Award, 2013 International Inspirational Luminary, 2015 IDA Impact Award, and 2016 WEGO Health Lifetime Achievement. In 2017, Barby was named a Health Information Technology Top 100Influencer by HealthScene and Top 20 Health Influencer by Insider Monkey Magazine. In 2018, Barby received the Reality All-Star Reunion Superstar award for her Social Media efforts and Top 50 Chronic Pain Advocates. In Feb. 2021 Barby is listed in the top 75 social media advocates for RareDiseases. In 2020, Barby is listed in the top 50 social media advocates for Rare Diseases and top10 Healthcare Influencers for All Marketers to Follow, 2020 PharmaVOICE100, 2020 HITMC Patient Advocate of the Year.
Barby Ingle
The Chosen