Brad Weskett | Greg Smith

“If we don’t have research, we’re not going to make any advancements.”

Brad: I experienced my first migraine when I was twelve years old. For whatever reason, I had an extremely bad headache to the point where I needed to lie down in the bathroom with the door closed because that was the only place that was dark enough to help the headache whatsoever.

Greg: Before I had medication and tried it, I missed out on all kinds of events. You can’t have that many headaches a month without missing out on some things. Despite your best effort, when you’re that sick with migraines, physically ill as well, it does curtail some things you would normally do.

Dr. Farnaz Amoozegar: Neurological conditions in general are very fascinating and important conditions. We’re one of the most integrated headache clinics in Canada where we have access to a multidisciplinary team. And probably to be honest we’re probably the area within Canada that has the most access to research as well. We can see people who have had a headache for more than 20 days in a month for example, or almost daily come and tell us that their headaches are now only one or two days a month. It has a significant impact if they’re able to do well with the studies or medications or treatments that we’re giving.

Brad: The advantage of the research programs for me is to be one of the first to know of new advances in either migraine prevention or treatment. The benefit is not only for myself, the benefit is for my kids. Because I know it runs in our family, there is a good chance my daughters could get migraines as well. So for me it’s to get a better quality of life now, but also for the future of my kids. Hopefully they don’t have to experience the same level of migraines or discomfort I’ve experienced up to my age now.

Greg: I’m very surprised that neither my daughter nor my son have developed full-on migraines. It doesn’t mean that it won’t go into my twin granddaughters turning two coming up. For me it’s not just about my family, it’s about others. Somebody trailed the medication I took that helped me recover, so I felt it was proper for me to go and do the same thing to pay it forward.

Brad: If we don’t have research, we’re not going to make any advancements. That’s ultimately what we’re trying to do. We want to improve the lives of all of us who suffer from migraines. If I can be one piece of that puzzle to help the advancement of it, I’m certainly more than willing to do so.