LaTonya Wiggin's "Shoes to Make a Difference"

LaTonya Wiggins and I share space together in cyber world and what I saw in her was a woman with a bright smile and big heart. To look at Tonya you would never guess that she's been fighting Fibromyalgia for 14 years now.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes the body to experience extreme chronic fatigue and body pains that are similar to arthritis BUT instead of affecting the joints, Fibromyalgia affects the muscles and ligaments. Recently I caught up with Tonya to ask her about life after Fibromyalgia.

AC: Hi Tonya! Thanks so much for allowing me to find out more about your challenges with Fibromyalgia. I understand you found out about your condition 14 years ago. What were some of the symptoms that you had specifically?

LW: Hi Karen, the symptoms will vary from person to person but the majority of us will have at least 4 symptoms or more. The symptoms that I am still dealing with are many but to name a few of the major ones it would be Chronic pain throughout the day, horrible fatigue, neuropathy, which is a burning sensations on your skin, stomach problems, and one that affects most all of us with Fibromyalgia experience not achieving a deep restful sleep and that creates more pain.

AC: Were you relieved when you could put a name with what you were experiencing?

LW: I was very relieved to finally have a name to a condition that was basically not that visible to other's around me. Even when I told them how I was feeling, in the back of my mind I was wandering if they really believed me.

AC: What type of work did you do prior to being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

LW: At the time I was a data entry clerk but was planning on returning to college in the fall. The condition came on me about three months before I was to enroll.

AC: I understand you have your own business now through eBay called "Shoes to Make a Difference". Tell us a little bit about how you got started and what your business is about.

LW: At first I was just working eBay for myself after I had received the diagnoses of Fibromyalgia but I wanted to do something to help others, especially children. "Shoes to Make a Difference" not only benefits me, but it will benefit many charities, of my choosing or decided by my client's. Clients will be able to go through their closet of designer shoes that they no longer wear and actually be able to make a difference in a child's life. Part of the proceeds will benefit charities that are making a difference in children's lives. If anyone would like to donate any designers shoes or consign their shoes to receive a profit and at the same time knowing that you are making a difference in a child's life, I can be reached via e-mail at tnywriter@yahoo.com.

AC: I am not sure if our readers are aware, but you also have the gift of song. I recently heard one of your gospel recordings and it was a blessing. What inspires you to write?

LW: I was actually inspired to write when I lost a very close friend of mine that was leaving church in Dallas one Sunday night and was carjacked over 10 years ago. From that day on I had to release a lot of my feelings and they came out through song. I have also been inspired to write through the challenges that I have had to face with Fibromyalgia. God helps me to purge out a lot of emotional pain that I go through with having such a painful illness.

AC: Are you working on any new musical projects?

LW: Karen, I have been asked before when I would have a new CD out and it is my desire that when my health improves I will be able to go back into the studio and record again. I know that day is coming, so be on the look out.

AC: Can you tell our readers where they can find you in cyberspace.

LW: Sure, they can go to www.myspace.com/acappellasinging.

AC: Tonya, what words of inspiration can you leave our national and international audience that either have Fibromyalgia or have a friend or family member that battle Fibromyalgia?

LW: For those that have Fibromyalgia I would like to encourage them not to give up. It can sometimes be a long battle because sometimes people don't believe that one person could experience that much pain; even some doctor's may not believe you which is very hard to accept but they have to continue to push on because there are many studies that are being done and recently there has been a public service announcement running that is really getting the word out about this devastating illness.

Karen, to those that have a friend or family member that is dealing with it, I ask of them to be very patient and not give up on their friend or family member because if they never needed you before, they definitely need you now. This condition also affects the friends and family and sometimes they need to attend support groups as well with the Fibromyalgia patient.

AC: Thanks so much for sharing your story with us Tonya. I know that you will do great things in the future and I wish you well!

LW: Thank you Karen for wanting to share my story with your audience. I hope that something was said that can helps others.