We’ve given our website a fresh new look but don’t worry, you’re in the right place! Same trusted team, just a better experience.
We’ve given our website a fresh new look but don’t worry, you’re in the right place! Same trusted team, just a better experience.
Meet SparkySparky is more than a cuddly companion—he’s a symbol of strength and connection for those living with Trigeminal Neuralgia. His mission is to travel across the United States, visiting TN warriors to deliver hugs, raise awareness, and remind each person that they are not alone.
With every stop, Sparky inspires photos, stories, and shared moments that build a nationwide tapestry of support. After each two-day visit, Sparky continues his journey spreading love, one hug at a time.
Natalie is a passionate Trigeminal Neuralgia advocate based in Pennsylvania, known for her unwavering support and uplifting spirit. She offers compassionate phone support to fellow TN warriors, always ready to listen and encourage those navigating the challenges of facial pain.
In September, Natalie hosted Sparky the TN Traveling Bear for a heartwarming visit. Together, they attended “Hard to Say”, a comedy show by TN warrior Kyle Ayers, celebrating resilience through laughter and shared experience.
Outside of advocacy, Natalie channels her creativity into her Etsy shop, CheekyMoss, where she designs spooky-cute fashion and accessories that reflect her bold, whimsical style.
Natalie’s blend of empathy, strength, and artistic flair makes her a cherished member of the TN community and a shining example of courage in action.
For the past two years, Amy Sue has been a powerful force of compassion and leadership in the Trigeminal Neuralgia community, guiding support groups in both Utica and Syracuse, New York. Her dedication to helping others navigate the challenges of TN has created safe, empowering spaces where warriors feel heard, understood, and uplifted. Amy’s advocacy goes beyond emotional support—she’s a wellspring of knowledge. Her guidance has personally helped me discover treatment options I hadn’t known about, and her willingness to share her insights has made a real difference in the lives of many.
What sets Amy apart is her heart. She leads with empathy, listens with intention, and shows up with unwavering strength. She’s not just a leader—she’s a friend, a mentor, and a true champion for those living with facial pain.
Sparky was born from a spark of compassion and creativity—an idea ignited by the need to comfort Trigeminal Neuralgia warriors across the country. Inspired by the resilience of those battling facial pain, Sparky became more than just a bear; he’s a traveling symbol of hope, connection, and advocacy. With each stop in a new state, Sparky carries messages of strength and solidarity, reminding every warrior they’re never alone. His journey began in the heart of a support group and now races forward with purpose, one hug and one story at a time.
Jamie La Penna From- Illinois
I’m married to a wonderfully supportive husband for 36 years, and I’m a mother to three adult children and grandmother to four boys.
After working in parks and recreation for nearly 18 years, I retired in 2019.
When not traveling or spending time with our family, my husband and I are avid pickleball players. I’m also the family baker and chef, creating all kinds of cookies for Christmas as well as specializing in decorative sugar cookies for themed parties, weddings, and showers. Christmas is my favorite holiday where I embrace my Italian heritage in the foods I prepare.
I found out about TN when I first experienced horrific mouth pain during a road trip. After many appointments with dentists and doctors, and my own research, I was diagnosed with TN in 2021. Since then, I’ve had my ups and downs with TN, but so far, I have been managing my flares with the help of my doctors and medication. I try to stay positive, keep my faith in Jesus, and live my best life! I loved my visit from Sparky, and helping to raise awareness about the challenges of living with TN.
Brenda Sharp refers to herself as a ‘long time TN Warrior’. Trigeminal Neuralgia struck early on at the age of 12. Many years of remissions followed, but by the time she was in her twenties, it was back with a vengeance. She had undergone 3 surgeries and maxed out on medications. An MVD in 1986 proved successful and provided many years of pain-free life.
There was limited info available back in the eighties. She reached out through newspapers and magazine articles to find other TN patient and started her own support group in 2000. When the FPRF was founded, she started organizing local fundraisers in order to raise money for research. In 2016, she organized “Aces4Faces”, a Monte Carlo night with proceeds going to the FPRF. Brenda believes that raising awareness is just as important as research and has helped with the lighting up teal campaign every year on October 7th, which is International Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day.
Brenda has also enjoyed a variety of career paths over the years.
As a Brainwave Technologist, she owned and operated ‘Brain Matters’, a health clinic providing Brainwave Optimization™, helping clients achieve balance and better health by balancing their brainwave frequencies.
During her time as a Project Administrator/Quality Control Administrator, she worked on several multi-million-dollar heavy civil construction jobs, mainly bridge building and wind turbine erection across Ontario.
August 2021 within a few days apart I was DX with Bells Palsy & Trigeminal Neuralgia. Luckily they were both on the same side, left. Only having one kidney I only allowed my PCP to try a couple of pharmaceuticals. Daily living in the Midwest sucks. I felt my true self when I briefly lived in Scottsdale but had to move back to Kansas. I still have the metallic taste, shocking zaps in my face, sensory overload, partial numb tongue, sensitive hearing, swelling at times when the flares comes along with still loving my dark quiet cold rooms as I have the lasting effects of the Bells Palsy as it likes cold but my TN likes heat. People often ask: what’s my dream? I just want an entire week at the beach with front view waters waking up with a coffee in my hand. To have had both come at me within days apart was scary & still is.
