The presenters did a great job in talking and educating us all about endometriosis and what to look for if I suspect a student might have it.

- Massachusetts School Nurse Attendee

 

LOVED the endo talk - gained so much knowledge from this conversation, even as an elementary nurse 

- Massachusetts School Nurse Attendee

 

The endo information was priceless...was not aware of how early these symptoms would start

- Massachusetts School Nurse Attendee

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

Statement about the July 10th Hearing, by Erika Snow

 

When I think back to that day in July, I can’t help but feel I witnessed something special – something historic. All of us who have battled with endo know how invisible it can make us feel. Doctors, bosses, friends, and family have all gaslit us at times about this disease and our lived experiences. We’ve even done it to ourselves. The war happening inside our bodies is nearly impossible to see or test for. It only makes sense that others find it hard to believe us when we say what we’re feeling. And so, we often feel alone. We lose our friends, we lose our jobs, our hobbies, and our communities. No one sees our daily struggles. They don’t witness the toll this disease takes on our bodies or our lives.

That’s why this public hearing was so special. A group of battle-weary endo survivors stepped out onto a public stage and gave voice to our lived experiences. We packed the room with yellow shirts until it was standing room only. We flooded the video call. Those who couldn’t yet share their testimonies flooded the online support groups in solidarity. We spoke about the pain, the fatigue, the financial burden, infertility, medical harm, missed school and work, and so much more. We shed light on this invisible illness, we asked our government for help, and a miracle happened. We were seen. We were heard.

 

In recent years, I’ve lost faith in politics. The system feels corrupt and as though our politicians don’t care about their constituents. I think a lot of us feel this way. But on July 10th, we didn’t meet a bunch of tone-deaf politicians. We met a group of public servants who were intent on improving the lives of the people they represent. They gave us a platform to speak, and they listened to our stories. They even extended the hearing so that each and every one of us got a chance to share. And then they thanked us for our boldness and our vulnerability. They agreed that change must be made. They agreed to help.

Your voices mattered that day – to our public servants, to everyone suffering with endo, and to everyone who might suffer with it in the future. With a disease that so easily tempts us into despair, it takes real courage to hope for something better. And so, as a final note, I want to say thank you. Thank you to all those who found the courage to speak that day – who hoped for and asked for change. And thank you to all those who listened. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Especially in politics and medicine.  But we took a step. And we will take another, and another.