To The One Who Denied A Familiar Shadow, Despite Having Their Own
This is a poem I wrote to get the words that bubbled in my chest out. It is inspired by a number of relationships – friendships, family relationships, and romantic. It hurts when someone acts like they don’t know you, but I found a way to find light in that.
I Lost My “Creative”
When I was diagnosed with chronic neurological Lyme last may, I lost a part of my identity– my creative drive that truly makes me who I am. Neurological disorders, since they are in your brain and nervous system, can affect the most cherished parts of ourselves. This poem is a realization that I could never […]
Beautiful Disguise
Those of us with chronic mental or physical illness are constantly living in a world of pretend, well at least to the extent that we not only hide our pain from others but also hide the pain from ourselves. I’ve been struggling with Lyme disease and multiple co-infections since age 10 and finally received a […]
Finding The Good In Bad With Illness
As most people know, it can often be difficult to look on the bright side and stay positive. This is especially true when battling an illness. Luckily, there are people out there that help inspire others every day to keep pushing. Our new friend, Maddie, was kind enough to share her story with us on […]
The Biggest Lessons Bipolar Disorder Has Taught Me
About ten months ago, Gina was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 1. With this disorder came along symptoms that can be defined as positive. These positive symptoms included creativity, a good work ethic, the ability to multitask, and being the “life of the party”. On the other hand, negative symptoms also ensued: mania, depression, eventual bursts of […]
CHRONICALLY ILL & “Superpowered”
Its hard enough to start and build a company. Its nearly impossible if you have to battle chronic illness everyday – unless you have amazing Superpowers. Meet Emily Levy, the founder of Mighty Well. And chronic Lyme Disease patient. Her daily treatment needs required a PICC line in her arm that needs constant protection, leading her to start a company […]
4 Tips on Improving Your Academics With Chronic Illness
Keeping your grades up is a task that stresses college students out all over the world. It is especially difficult when dealing with an illness on top of all of your exams and assignments. Victoria spoke with us and shared some great tips on how to make school a little bit managable despite any illness you may […]
Four Tips For Maintaining Resilience When Battling a Chronic Illness
Emma Widmar was a 17-year-old student who was diagnosed with Mast Cell Disease and POTS in 2016. From symptoms such as swelling due to an allergic reaction to her own hormones to being unable to digest food by mouth, this girl has seen it all! Luckily she was able to have a feeding tube placed […]
The Difference a Dog Can Make When You’re Chronically Ill
Did you know that some positive findings of interacting with a therapy dog include reduced levels of pain and anxiety? Therapy for chronic illness takes different shapes. Being chronically ill means that some days it becomes a challenge to complete the simplest task. Constant fatigue wears on an individual whether physically or psychologically, and a rush […]
Your Mind Is a Powerful Tool: 6 Lessons for the Chronically Ill
Having a chronic illness comes with a lot of information one often wishes to have known since the beginning of a medical diagnosis. “Toni Morrison said, ‘The function of freedom is to free someone else,’ and if you are no longer wracked or in bondage to a person or a way of life, tell your story. Risk freeing someone else. Not […]
5 Tips For a Successful Life When Living With a Chronic Illness or Disability
Have you ever watched the movie “Kill Bill 2”? If so, do you remember the scene in which Beatrix Kiddo desperately tries to wiggle her toes? Well, that is kind of what I go through… EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING! I have a chronic illness in my peripheral nervous system, and it has affected my muscles too. […]
Creating Meaning and Purpose While Living With Chronic Illness
Being a Boss Lady is hard: Managing your business, other people, and a growing startup presence. Then add on top of that, managing your 3 IV infusions through your PICC line a day, oral medication, doctors appointments, a home care nurse, weekly blood works, and a slew of symptoms that seem to pop up at […]