Raise awareness about chronic illnesses by understanding their impact, symptoms, and the importance of support and education.
When It’s Time to ‘Break Up’ With Your Doctor In theory, your doctor should be your partner in health—someone who listens, respects, and supports your journey toward wellness. But in reality, not all doctor-patient relationships work out the way they should. Sometimes, despite years of visits and trust, the relationship no longer serves your needs. And just like any other relationship, there may come a time when you have to walk away. Breaking up with…
What It’s Like to Be an Empath With Fibromyalgia To be an empath is to feel the emotions of others as if they are your own. To live with fibromyalgia is to endure chronic, often invisible pain that touches every part of life. When these two identities coexist within one person, the experience becomes more than just difficult—it becomes a delicate balancing act of emotional and physical survival. Being an empath with fibromyalgia is living…
Why I Haven’t ‘Gotten Used to’ My Fibromyalgia When people hear that I’ve been living with fibromyalgia for years, their reaction is often rooted in misunderstanding. They assume that with time, I must have adjusted to the pain, adapted to the fatigue, and learned to carry on like nothing happened. They ask, “Haven’t you gotten used to it by now?” with the kind of casual expectation reserved for everyday inconveniences. But fibromyalgia is not something…
How It Feels to Wear My Disability Blue Badge on the Train When I board a train wearing my disability blue badge, I’m not just carrying a plastic card or lanyard. I’m carrying the invisible weight of judgment, assumptions, and sometimes even shame. That small symbol, intended to offer support and recognition, can feel more like a spotlight than a shield. And yet, I wear it—because I have to. Disability, especially when it’s invisible, invites…
When the Brain Fog Comes Before Your Fibro Diagnosis Before the widespread pain, before the chronic fatigue, and before any doctor uttered the word fibromyalgia, there was brain fog. Not a little forgetfulness, not occasional distraction, but an all-consuming mental haze that made everyday thinking feel like pushing through wet concrete. For many, this brain fog begins long before a formal diagnosis, making it one of the most unsettling and often overlooked symptoms in the…
The celebrity Lena Dunham journey with Ehlers-Danlos has emerged as a powerful story of vulnerability, resilience, and truth-telling. Known for her acclaimed work as the creator and star of the HBO series Girls, Lena Dunham has long been celebrated for her unapologetic honesty. Her battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome adds a profound layer to her public persona, shining a light on the lived reality of those facing chronic, invisible illnesses. What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and How…
Usain Bolt, hailed as the fastest man in history, is a name forever etched in the annals of sport. With an electric presence and record-breaking speed, Bolt shattered expectations and captivated the world with his effortless dominance on the track. Yet, behind his unmatched athleticism lies a lesser-known but deeply compelling story—Usain Bolt was born with scoliosis, a condition that caused chronic back pain and threatened to derail his legendary career before it even took…
Tiger Woods has long stood as a symbol of greatness in the world of golf. With a swing that revolutionized the sport and a mental game that intimidated opponents, he became an icon long before many of his peers found their footing. Yet behind his dominance was a hidden war within his own body—a relentless battle with severe back pain that nearly ended his career. His journey through spasms, pinched nerves, sciatic agony, and ultimately…
Victoria Beckham is widely recognized as a global fashion icon, a former pop superstar, and a powerful voice in modern style. Yet behind the designer heels and polished runway appearances lies a lesser-known story of strength and vulnerability. During her pregnancy with her fourth child, Victoria experienced a painful and potentially debilitating condition—a slipped disc. The condition not only tested her physically but emotionally and mentally, especially as it occurred during such a delicate and…
Harrison Ford is known across generations as the rugged, adventurous hero of some of cinema’s most beloved franchises. From the whip-cracking Indiana Jones to the galaxy-trekking Han Solo, his on-screen persona has always been physically demanding and unrelentingly tough. But behind the camera, Ford has faced significant health challenges that tested both his endurance and resilience. One of the most serious episodes in his physical journey came when he suffered a herniated disc—a condition that…