Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

February 23, 2021February 23, 2021

Staying Warm Is Critical for Maintaining Limber Muscles

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Is it spring yet? Like for many people in the U.S., the weather in Virginia has been less than stellar lately. We’ve had record-breaking rainfall, and while I’m thankful we’ve ... Read more

February 16, 2021February 16, 2021

A Knee Pillow Provides Me With Pain Relief While Sleeping

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Over the years, the position in which I’m most comfortable sleeping at night has changed. For most of my life, I could only sleep on my stomach. After I was ... Read more

February 9, 2021February 9, 2021

Massage Therapy Helps Manage My Pain, but Insurance Won’t Cover It

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

I’m so lucky to be able to have massage therapy every other week. While I wasn’t diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) until I was 22 and didn’t start regular massages ... Read more

February 2, 2021February 2, 2021

Another Injury Means Strike 3, and I’m Out!

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

I really need to stop doing stupid things and hurting myself. Sheesh. Last September, I badly broke my finger and had to have surgery. I now sport a plate and ... Read more

January 26, 2021January 26, 2021

Explaining My Bruises to Concerned Healthcare Professionals

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

After two weeks of virtual learning to avoid the post-holiday spike in COVID-19 cases, students in the school where I work returned to in-person learning last week. I was nervous ... Read more

January 19, 2021January 19, 2021

Banged Up and Bruised After a Recent Fall Down the Steps

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

I don’t think I’m alone in hoping that 2021 would be a better year than last, but it’s certainly off to an interesting start. I work as a college counselor ... Read more

January 12, 2021January 12, 2021

EDS Has Taught Me to Be More Positive

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

I’m certain I don’t have to tell anyone reading this column that having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) means overcoming a lot of hurdles and other negative things. These include chronic pain, ... Read more

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

Learning the Difference Between Occupational and Physical Therapy

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

As is common for someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I’ve done plenty of physical therapy (PT). After my diagnosis at 22, I was referred to PT to work on many ... Read more

December 22, 2020December 22, 2020

Sharing Some Light This Holiday Season

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

I love the holidays, especially Christmas. This year is certainly different in just about every way, except for one: If anything, I think we all need more holiday cheer to ... Read more

December 15, 2020December 15, 2020

Slow and Steady Wins the Recovery Race

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Last week, I had another follow-up appointment for my finger. In late September, I had surgery to repair a badly broken right ring finger from a freak accident. It was ... Read more

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020

Managing Winter Weather and EDS Symptoms

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

Being back to work at school after the holiday is both exciting and a little depressing. I mostly did farm work while I was off. One of the most refreshing ... Read more

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

4 Ways to Manage Anxiety and Lower Stress

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

This year has hardly been traditional. Among the most obvious evidence of that has been COVID-19’s effect on schools. I’m a college counselor who helps high school juniors and seniors ... Read more

November 24, 2020November 24, 2020

I’m Thankful for Community This Thanksgiving

COVID-19 Columns, Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

The past few weeks have been a crazy whirlwind. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving, even though it’s certainly going to be very different this year. With COVID-19 spiking, people struggling, ... Read more

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020

Mitigating the Effects of EDS on My Injury

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

It’s been seven weeks since I badly broke my right ring finger. Last Monday, I went in for a follow-up appointment with my surgeon. My physical therapist and I have ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020

Finding Our Common Ground

Ehlers-Danlos News Columns

People in the rare disease community experience a variety of syndromes that vary in both severity and how they affect people. Some aspects of rare diseases are universal, while others ... Read more