What Every Partner Should Know About Fibromyalgia | The Coverlys

Sharon sits down with Dave and Chris Coverly for a heartfelt conversation about what support really looks like when fibromyalgia becomes part of life's story. Dave is the creator of the internationally syndicated comic panel Speed Bump, which appears in hundreds of newspapers and websites around the world, including the Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. Inspired by Chris's experience living with fibromyalgia, Dave partnered with the Fibromyalgia Association to create a special cartoon highlighting an important reality: it can take years for valuable health information to reach the people who need it most. But this episode goes far beyond the cartoon. Dave and Chris share what they've learned through decades of marriage, parenting, navigating flares, adjusting expectations, communicating through difficult moments, and finding humor and grace along the way. Whether support comes from a spouse, partner, parent, adult child, sibling, friend, support group, or healthcare professional, this conversation offers hope, practical wisdom, and a reminder that you don't have to navigate fibromyalgia alone. Know someone who loves a person with fibromyalgia? Share this episode with them. SPEED BUMP AROUND THE WORLD CHALLENGE Did you spot the special Speed Bump cartoon in your newspaper? You can see it here on June 16, 2026 - https://www.gocomics.com/speedbump Leave a comment below with: • Publication name • City, State/Province • Country EXAMPLE: Detroit Free Press – Detroit, Michigan, USA Want to share a photo of the cartoon? ✉️ [email protected] As a thank-you, we'll randomly select one participant to receive a Fibromyalgia Association shirt featuring the cartoon. You can purchase one, and the proceeds support The Fibromyalgia Association: https://www.bonfire.com/store/fibro-a.... A special thank-you as well to talented colorist Ron Raff for bringing the cartoon to life. RESOURCES/LINKS: 🌐 Fibromyalgia Association - Check out our Support & Education Group that Chris mentions https://managefibro.org 📰 Explore more of Dave Coverly's work https://speedbump.com 📘 The FibroManual (now on Audible): https://amzn.to/41lgk4I 👥 Facebook Community:   / fibroassociation   💛 Fibromyalgia Coaching with Sharon: https://www.hwcsharon.com CHAPTERS: 00:00 Welcome & Speed Bump Challenge 02:30 Chris's Fibromyalgia Journey Begins 07:30 Dave's Perspective: Always a Step Behind 11:00 Pacing as a Couple 19:00 Raising Kids with Chronic Illness 22:00 What Support Really Looks Like 30:00 Working from Home & Staying Connected 40:00 Finding Community & Resources 45:00 The Speed Bump Cartoon: Inspiration & Impact 50:00 Final Words of Wisdom 57:00 Closing & Resources ABOUT YOUR FIBRO SHOW CO-HOSTS: About Sharon: One year after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1997, Sharon founded a Fibro Support & Education Group in Michigan that has grown into a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization called the Fibromyalgia Association (ManageFibro.org). The Association provides support, education, and advocacy. She became a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) to help people manage Fibromyalgia and chronic pain. Learn more at HWCSharon.com. About Ginevra: Ginevra Liptan, MD developed fibromyalgia while in medical school at Tufts University. Using herself as a guinea pig was able to find enough effective treatment to get back to school and has dedicated her medical career to treating fibromyalgia. She is board-certified in internal medicine, with additional training in integrative and functional medicine. Learn about her treatment approach to fibromyalgia in her book The FibroManual: A Complete Fibromyalgia Treatment Guide for You and Your Doctor available on Amazon here https://amzn.to/41lgk4I