Raise awareness about chronic illnesses by understanding their impact, symptoms, and the importance of support and education.
Growing up, I learned early that the world doesn’t always know how to treat those who are different. As a child with a visible disability, I quickly became a target. The names they called me still echo sometimes. The way they stared, laughed, or excluded me wasn’t something I could ever forget. I didn’t understand why I was treated differently—I only knew that I was. But what began as a painful childhood of bullying slowly…
There was a time in my life when I would have done anything to be invisible. As a child with a visible disability, I didn’t just feel different—I was constantly reminded of it by the way others treated me. Classmates whispered behind my back, teachers overlooked me, and strangers stared without apology. I learned to shrink myself to avoid attention, to keep quiet when I wanted to scream, and to fake smiles that hid the…
Introduction: Stephanie’s Story – Turning Pain into Power Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is often called the “suicide disease” because of its unrelenting and excruciating pain. But for Stephanie, her journey with CRPS became a story of resilience, hope, and transformation. In this exclusive testimonial, Stephanie opens up about her life-changing experience — from the devastating onset of symptoms to discovering strength she never knew she had. The Day Everything Changed: Stephanie’s First Encounter with…
Introduction: A New Hope for Veterans Battling Fibromyalgia and PTSD Many veterans return from service carrying not only visible wounds but also invisible battles like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over time, some of these veterans begin experiencing chronic pain throughout their bodies — pain that doctors may later diagnose as fibromyalgia. What many veterans do not know is that fibromyalgia can be claimed as a secondary condition to PTSD under the Department of Veterans Affairs…
When I’m Judged for Using Disabled Parking With an Invisible Illness Every time I pull into a disabled parking spot, I brace myself. Not for the walk into the building or the flare-up that made me need the space in the first place—but for the looks, the whispers, the judgment. Because I don’t “look sick.” And in a world that still struggles to understand invisible illness, that’s enough for some to assume I’m doing something…
When Celebrities Talk About Chronic Illness, Don’t Forget About Everyday Spoonies When celebrities talk about chronic illness, headlines follow. Social media buzzes. Interviews go viral. For a brief moment, the world listens. But as the attention fades, what remains for the millions of people who live daily with invisible conditions? These individuals, known lovingly in the chronic illness community as “spoonies,” are often left behind in the narrative, quietly managing symptoms, navigating medical systems, and…
What I Realized When My Mother-in-Law Said, “I Hope You Feel Better Soon” There are some phrases that float past us so often they become background noise. “Take care.” “Feel better.” “Let me know if you need anything.” But every so often, one of these phrases lands with weight. That’s what happened when my mother-in-law quietly said, “I hope you feel better soon.” It was a simple statement, but it revealed far more than sympathy.…
When I Don’t Feel ‘Disabled Enough’ as Someone With a Chronic Illness There’s a quiet struggle that many people with chronic illness carry—a tension that rarely makes its way into conversations, even within disability communities. It’s the feeling of not being “disabled enough.” You live with pain, fatigue, or a body that doesn’t work like it used to, but you look in the mirror and wonder if you qualify. You walk through life managing symptoms…
Celebrity Solange Knowles Journey with Hypermobility Syndrome Solange Knowles has captivated the world with her genre-defying music, unapologetic voice, and revolutionary style. As an artist, activist, and cultural icon, she brings vulnerability and truth into everything she creates. Yet behind the elegance of her performance and the clarity of her vision lies a personal health battle that is rarely spoken about in the spotlight. Solange Knowles has openly discussed living with an autonomic disorder with…
Celebrity Misty Copeland Journey with Hypermobility Syndrome Misty Copeland is a name etched in the modern history of ballet. Celebrated for breaking racial barriers and for her groundbreaking rise as the first African-American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, she has become a cultural icon, artist, and advocate. Behind the elegance and poise of her performances, however, is a story of silent struggle. One often overlooked aspect of her physical journey is her…