Joe Reed is a man who was stripped of many basic human freedoms, more specifically, the ability to move. He experienced hardships and physical disability through his battle with an autoimmune disease called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain throughout the body. It can affect people physically, mentally and socially. Because this autoimmune condition can be so debilitating, people often additionally struggle with depression and anxiety as stress can worsen related problems and symptoms. Cultural attitudes and the stigma of people with chronic pain often cause people with fibromyalgia to withdraw from family and friends. There is no cure… but after listening to Joe, you might think differently. While Joe attempted a huge range of multidisciplinary approaches to relieve symptoms, he will share with you that his HOPE, above anything else was the initiative for change.
