According to Wikipedia, Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes chronic muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia, headaches and tender pressure points on the body. Photographer Brooke Shaden has suffered from the debilitating disease for the past 14 years, and recently produced a beautiful series of images to raise awareness for the cause.

According to Brooke, “I wanted to show three different stages of pain, and the frailty, acceptance and power that can come from it.  The close-up image shows weakness and vulnerability. The image with butterflies coming out of my chest shows power. The image of the butterflies holding me up shows acceptance. Butterflies are an incredible universal symbol. They represent change, beauty, and grace. In a way that is what people with pain go through, and especially pain that does not manifest in any obvious way.”

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