New comic tells the story of fibromyalgia

Published On Wed 29 Nov 2017 by Dominic Younger

A series of comics designed to inform the public about common but poorly understood conditions launches this week with the first edition focusing on fibromyalgia.

Writers, comic artists and health professionals from the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside will celebrate the publication of ‘Fibromyalgia and Us’ this Friday.

The new comic explores the long-term condition which can often cause intense pain and/or fatigue all over the body and the impact it can have on individual patients and their families.

Written by those living with this condition, in collaboration with a doctor and physiotherapist from NHS Tayside, the new comic will be launched at the Dundee Comic Creative Space on Friday 1 December.

Professor Divya Jindal-Snape, Professor of Education at the University, said, “This comic has been designed with the purpose of raising awareness of fibromyalgia amongst professionals, families, and communities.

“It illustrates the ongoing life transitions of those who have fibromyalgia as well as its impact on significant others. A strong support network is so crucial to enable people to adapt to the multiple transitions triggered by fibromyalgia and flourish despite its substantial challenging consequences.”

To coincide with the launch, there will be interactive comic workshops suitable for all ages as well as a free talk by Dr Ian Horton from the University of the Arts, London on ‘Impact, public engagement, and comic books.’

Dr Golnar Nabizadeh, Lecturer in Comic Studies, said, “We are thrilled to launch our new comic this week. Friday will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to come learn about the condition and meet the amazing contributors, writers, health professionals and artists involved in the project.”

Those interested are invited to hear more about the project and get creating comics themselves at the Dundee Comics Creative Space, Unit 7 in the Vision Building on Friday 1 December from 6 - 8pm. 

Artists and contributors involved in the project were: Jindal-Snape, Divya; Keiller, Andrew ; Kelly, Lynn; Langlands-Scott, Judith; Murray, Christopher; Snape, Anj ; Snape, Jonathan B.; Snape, Nik ; Warden , Freddie ; Whittingham, Bryan ; Balson, Elliot (Artist); Dominak, Zu (Artist); Herd, Damon (Artist); Horner, Rebecca (Artist); Larkin, Ashling (Artist); Millar, Norrie (Artist); Robinson, Helen (Artist); Wilson, Letty (Artist) 

For media enquiries contact:
Dominic Glasgow
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 385131
Email: d.w.glasgow@dundee.ac.uk