Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

July 20, 2021July 20, 2021

I’ve Learned That Seasonal Allergies Can Trigger a Pain Flare

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Summer is in full swing here, and one fun part for me is seasonal allergies, or hay fever. I deal with both indoor and outdoor allergies year-round, but they tend ... Read more

July 9, 2021July 9, 2021

Structure and Routine Helped Me Recover From a Traumatic Brain Injury

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

It took many years to piece together the puzzle of my bodily weirdnesses. I spent the last couple of years before my diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome investigating several possible connective ... Read more

July 6, 2021July 6, 2021

This Summer, I’m Making the Most of My Opportunity to Recharge

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

It’s crazy how sometimes time seems to simultaneously crawl and fly by. It feels like just yesterday when I was headed to work as a high school history teacher and ... Read more

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021

A Little Bit of Self-care Can Go a Long Way

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

It’s a bit hard to believe it’s already summer. Yet, the blistering heat and lack of rain remind me each morning that, yes, it is actually almost July. This past ... Read more

June 15, 2021June 15, 2021

It’s Time for Invisalign, Round 2

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

A few months ago, when I finally returned to the dentist after being fully vaccinated for COVID-19, we talked about redoing my Invisalign. Although I had braces as a teenager, ... Read more

June 11, 2021June 11, 2021

A Doctor’s Words Brought Me Peace During My 3rd Thyroid Biopsy

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Before I was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I underwent an ultrasound of my carotid arteries to rule out blockage as the cause of my ... Read more

June 8, 2021June 8, 2021

Thanks to the Rare Disease Community, I Feel Less Isolated

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

As I sit here working on my column, with a heating pad wrapped around my hip to calm down a recent injury, I wonder about the similarities among those of ... Read more

June 1, 2021June 1, 2021

Which Came First, the Injuries or the Compensation?

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

As I often do, I had an interesting discussion with my rock-star massage therapist Kim last week. She’d been on vacation for a few weeks, so I’d missed a session ... Read more

May 25, 2021May 25, 2021

I’m Ready to Recharge After an Unusual School Year

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Well, it’s official. The COVID-19 school year is officially complete! For students, at least. As faculty, we still have a few weeks left, but I still can’t believe it’s over ... Read more

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021

Finding Comfortable Shoes Can Be Difficult With Flat Feet

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Shoes and I have an interesting relationship. I’ve said before that I seem to be much more susceptible to blisters, but my flat feet are a different issue. Like many ... Read more

May 11, 2021May 11, 2021

Balancing Responsibilities and Sleep During a Busy Month

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Although sleeping helps me feel my best, it is also my greatest adversary. Like many people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic exhaustion is a constant battle. No matter how much sleep ... Read more

May 7, 2021May 7, 2021

Dating Tips: How to Foster a Healthy Relationship From the Start

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Living independently with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is possible. So is living with a partner. Both require some thought and adaptation. Developing and maintaining healthy relationships requires a great deal of work, regardless ... Read more

May 4, 2021May 4, 2021

How Visible Is My Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Sometimes I wonder how much of my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is visible to others. Apart from the obvious things, like my bruising, I think much goes unnoticed. This is partly ... Read more

April 27, 2021April 27, 2021

Not All Positivity Is Created Equal

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Several years ago I learned an important distinction about positivity. For a long time, I had thought that positivity meant ignoring what was upsetting or not going right so that ... Read more

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021

Moving Past the Unknown Causes of My EDS Pain and Injuries

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. As part of my job as a college counselor, I’m working with high school seniors to help them make college decisions. As ... Read more