“What if it causes anaphylaxis?” “What if it makes me sick?” “What if it doesn’t work?” “Once I take it I can’t undo it.” For most people, starting a new prescription is routine – pick it up, get generic instructions from the pharmacist, take it, then report back to your doctor in a few […]
This article explores the history and current research surrounding visceroptosis, a condition involving the downward displacement of internal organs. While some forms of organ prolapse, such as rectal and pelvic organ prolapse, are already recognized features of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), the possibility that connective tissue laxity may also affect organs higher in the abdomen […]
July is a busy month in the Ehlers-Danlos world. The EDS Society’s Annual Global Learning Conference takes place in Allen, Texas, on July 24-26. It will feature a great lineup of esteemed physician speakers, patient organizations, advocates, and presentations covering this year’s theme: “Exploring Comorbidities in EDS & HSD.” It is also the Ten-Year Celebration of the founding of the Ehlers-Danlos […]
Every July, the disability community marks Disability Pride Month: an annual celebration tied to the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark civil rights law that prohibited discrimination against disabled people in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and government services. It was the result of […]
Celebrating My Two-Year Stoma-Versary I used to feel like I couldn’t say, “my ostomy bag saved my life,” because I didn’t get my ostomy bag for the same reasons a lot of people do. Some of the most common reasons people need ostomies are for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), acute infections like diverticulitis, or colon […]
We wanted to end EDS Awareness Month by spotlighting the lived experiences of four individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD). Through these perspectives, we aimed to tackle a few of the many myths surrounding these conditions. We also wanted to offer a glimpse into the reality of living with EDS/HSD, including […]
Many timesI have been called resilient. A title inflicted on melike a brilliant,gleaming badge of honor. But it was one that I never asked for.Worn without choiceor the ability to claima different perspective,a different name. I give myself a new description,a title that encompassesthe pain and infliction. I am persistent. Resilience is to bendand not […]
I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and Sjogren’s. Over the years, I’ve undergone more than 40 surgeries, including spinal fusions and brain surgery, many performed while raising my son alone. My son was born 11 weeks early and spent 63 days in the NICU. We […]