May 12th: Fibromyalgia Awareness Day – Why it matters to us at Dolphin Outsourcing

Today, May 12th, is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day – a global event dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of fibromyalgia, a complex and often misunderstood chronic condition. The date also marks International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) and the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is believed to have suffered from symptoms similar to fibromyalgia. Her legacy as a tireless caregiver makes this day especially meaningful for many.

At Dolphin Outsourcing, this awareness day is close to our hearts. Both of our Directors, Laura Dolphin and Zara Roberts, live with fibromyalgia. As a company, we are passionate about fostering awareness and understanding - not just because we are affected personally, but because millions around the world face similar challenges every day, often in silence.

Both of our Directors, Laura and Zara, have shared their personal journeys with fibromyalgia; each unique, but both reflecting the struggle, resilience and hope experienced by so many.

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Laura Dolphin: It took me three years to get my fibro diagnosis.

Initially, doctors blamed my symptoms on hormones linked to pregnancy and breastfeeding… then they said it was gout. But I wasn’t convinced. I kept pushing, kept researching, and asked for more tests - thankfully, all came back negative.

Despite this, I wasn't getting better. Eventually, the Army medically discharged me. I was too exhausted to keep fighting, and honestly, they weren’t helping me manage the pain I was in. About six months later, I finally got my fibromyalgia diagnosis after persistently advocating for myself through the NHS.

I specifically asked to see a rheumatologist who specialises in hypermobility, joint issues, and chronic pain. After ruling out Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a few other conditions, he confirmed it - fibromyalgia.

It wasn’t a solution, but it was a relief to have an answer. At the same time, it was scary and overwhelming. Fibromyalgia can’t be cured. I’m still working on accepting it and finding balance in my life.

But working for myself has been the most uplifting experience. It’s not always easy, but being able to fit my work around my health has given me something invaluable - a purpose, a job that works for me.

Fibromyalgia has opened my eyes to the challenges that disabled people face in a way I never understood before.

For me, a flare-up can feel like having the flu (minus the snot!) and being in a car crash all at once. It’s exhausting and debilitating. Every part of my body can hurt - especially my back. Sometimes it’s even painful to breathe.

Many people don’t understand how tough fibromyalgia is. But I’ve learned how powerful and life-changing it can be to have work that fits your life, not the other way around.

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Zara Roberts: It’s very true when they say, ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2017, seven years after receiving my diagnosis of Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Fibromyalgia and EDS often occur together—especially hypermobile EDS—with both conditions causing chronic pain and fatigue. For me, EDS causes pain in my joints, while fibromyalgia causes pain in my muscles.

For seven years, I was constantly told that my symptoms were simply part of my EDS, and I was prescribed various medications to help manage them. It wasn’t until I joined an online

EDS support group that I learned more about fibromyalgia and discovered how common it is among hEDS sufferers. Armed with that knowledge, I went to see my rheumatologist, and they finally diagnosed me.

Fibromyalgia causes me constant pain—there hasn’t been a single day that I can say I’ve been pain-free. I’ve learned to accept it and mask it when needed. Unfortunately, this has led to discrimination from people who assume I’m faking or just seeking attention.

I can tell you firsthand, invisible illnesses suck! You never know when the next flare-up will come or how long it will last.

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If you want to learn more about fibromyalgia, we encourage you to visit Fibromyalgia Action UK (FMA UK), a leading charity offering information, support, and resources for individuals and families affected by the condition.

Since fibromyalgia is sometimes connected with conditions like hypermobility syndromes, you might also find helpful insights and support from the Hypermobility Syndromes Association (HMSA).

At Dolphin Outsourcing, we’re committed to building a more compassionate and inclusive world, where flexible work, empathy, and understanding are not the exception, but the norm.