“I remember being in a lot of pain and visiting the first aid room at school and being sent away, as it was most likely ‘growing pains.’ I have to accept I can’t get a role as physical as I’d like, but this is part of having a disability, learning what you can and can’t do.”
‘I’m allergic to WATER. People call me a ‘faker.’ I should’ve seen this coming. But I’m so GRATEFUL.’: Woman with EDS, POTS, and aquagenic urticaria says ‘I want to raise awareness’
‘You’re a LIAR. Suck it up!’ I was in the fetal position on the floor, SCREAMING.’: Chronic illness warrior talks health, support system, ‘Keep fighting and listen to your body’
“They saw me lying on the floor and rolled their eyes. They never asked if I was okay. I spent most of my time at work in the bathroom screaming and crying, not knowing what was going on.”
‘Where do you get your energy?’ Apparently, I’m good at pretending. My condition was URGENT.’: Woman diagnosed with Addison’s disease, Type 1 Diabetes, ‘My diseases will NEVER stop me’
“I felt embarrassed, since there was ‘nothing wrong’ with me. I wouldn’t have survived much longer.”
‘You’re YOUNG, what do you have to be stressed about?’ I was living the life of a 50-year-old. I was a caregiver AND a patient.’: Migraine warrior takes care of mom during cancer battle
“When my mom asked me to take a step back from school and work to take care of her during her cancer treatments, I didn’t hesitate to choose my mama. By being a caregiver, I learned how to be a patient.”
‘Just accept things and move on.’ Was I going mad? Everything came back ‘normal.’: Woman details Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, ‘I can recognize myself again’
“I’ve always been aware of the fragility of life, but it’s human nature to think, ‘It won’t happen to me.’ My life suddenly became this fragile flower in my hands.”
‘Your tests came back fine, just do yoga.’ I spent 29 years thinking I was weak. I was done feeling like a victim.’: Chronic illness warrior welcomes rainbow baby, ‘I’m proud of who I am’
“When I went to doctors, I didn’t get answers. Instead, I entered into a world of discrimination and trauma. ‘You just want pain meds.’ I’d need a lot of strength for the next part of my journey.”
‘I was so bloated people asked, ‘How far along are you?’ If only they knew I was slowly dying on the inside, never able to have another child.’: Chronic illness warrior shares journey, ‘I am FIERCE’
“My large intestine quit on me out of the blue. I fought through the pain until I was no longer able to hide it. If felt like my world was slowly caving in.”
‘There’s a woman who posts beautiful things, and the one I come home to, who ISN’T okay.’ He accused me of being a fraud.’: Mom diagnosed with Lupus, multiple chronic illnesses, ‘We’re worthy of living our best lives’
“I was a mother who was too exhausted to mother, a creative who could not create, and a woman on fire to serve, but unable.”
‘I must be crazy.’ The façade was crumbling. I had a rash on my face, feet, and hands. I tried to smile and stay strong.’: Lupus warrior shares journey, ‘I am STRONG and radiant’
“I participated in an online course about ‘positivity,’ which aligned perfectly with my mentality of sugarcoating all my symptoms. I thought to myself, ‘All this can’t be true.’”
‘I think she has some fractures.’ Nobody knew what was wrong with me. The pain was EVERYWHERE.’: Chronic illness warrior fights to ‘stay positive’
“All my problems, physical and mental, changed me. I get more medical visits than visits from my friends. But I still need to see the positives in life.”
