Attend Retreat Migraine to Learn and Connect with Others Who Live with Migraine

Living with migraine can feel so isolating and overwhelming. Connecting with others and learning more about migraine are powerful ways to counteract those feelings. Retreat Migraine — coming up the first weekend in May — is an in-person and virtual conference designed for just that.

What is Retreat Migraine?

Retreat Migraine is a three-day conference especially for people with migraine and their caregivers to connect with others and learn about treating and living well with migraine. With both in-person and virtual options, Retreat Migraine is an excellent way to learn and connect, even for people who aren’t able to travel. This year’s conference is May 5-7 in Minneapolis. Scholarships are available.

How does Retreat Migraine bring a sense of community?

Ronetta Stokes, who has chronic intractable migraine, has attended Retreat Migraine twice, once in person and once virtually. She keeps coming back because of the “COMMUNITY—the friendships I gained are strong, knowledgeable, and encouraging.”

Ronetta was “nervous at first because I had never been in a room with so many people that shared the same disease.” But she quickly found “a sense of belonging and community. I was not alone. I was meeting so many people who got what I was going through.”

Does the sense of community last beyond the conference?

The sense of community has lasted far beyond the weekend of Retreat Migraine for Ronetta. She said, “These people no longer were friends. They became my extended family. People I look to for strength, advice, and support.”

What can you learn at Retreat Migraine?

In addition to learning from leading headache specialists, pain psychologists, and speakers who live with migraine about treatments (both current and being developed) and strategies for coping with migraine, attendees also learn from each other. Ronetta discovered that she’s not alone. “I learned not to feel so isolated. Many are going through the same thing.”

Why is sharing your story so powerful?

Retreat Migraine has also taught Ronetta the power of sharing her story of living with migraine. “If we speak up, our voices will be heard. We must continue sharing our experiences for those afraid and those unable to share with their doctors. Someone may see my story and relate and say, 'Well, if she can, then I can, too.' Having migraine support was a game changer. I can reach out and see if many get it. I also share my story of racial disparity — if I experienced it, I know others are as well.”

What are the benefits to attending virtually?

Because travel can be difficult for people with migraine, Retreat Migraine has a virtual option, as well as in-person. Ronetta is attending virtually again this year because she likes that she’s “able to lay on my couch and relax. I can log off camera but still feel the warmth, comfort, and support of everyone.”

What else should you know?

Still on the fence? Here’s what Ronetta wants everyone to know about Retreat Migraine: “It’s encouraging, educational, engaging. It’s also a way to feel valued, appreciative, and inspired. You are never alone. Reach out for support; someone will reach back.”

You can learn more and register on Retreat Migraine's website.