20 Essential Self-care Practices for Rare Disease Caregivers: My Journey to ResilienceBeing a caregiver for someone with a rare disease is an incredibly rewarding yet demanding role. Learning how to advocate for my...reactionscomments
How I Travel With a Chronic Illness"Still round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate." – J.R.R. Tolkien Living in a body with...reactionscomments
After a Rare Disease Diagnosis: My Avalanche of ComorbiditiesWhen I was diagnosed with my first rare disease, I got sicker. What? Of course not. Getting a diagnosis doesn't change how...reactions3comments
Doctors and Specialists Who Treat X-Linked HypophosphatemiaPeople with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) develop a wide range of symptoms such as weak bones and teeth, fractures, fatigue, and muscle weakness...reactionscomments
Exercising When You Have a Lung ConditionShortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of lung conditions. These issues can make it hard to want to exercise. They...reactionscomments
Signs and Symptoms of X-linked HypophosphatemiaX-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the whole body. A person with XLH does not process the nutrient...reactionscomments
When We Medically Gaslight OurselvesWe're used to others medically gaslighting us – but what about when we do it to ourselves? In a previous article, I...reactionscomments
When We Are Eager to Undergo Medical TestsMedical tests are not enjoyable by any means but that doesn't mean one won't feel eager to have a medical test performed...reactionscomments
Finally Diagnosed... Now What?A rare disease is one that affects less than 200,000 people. Rare conditions are hard to diagnose because not much is known...reactionscomments
When a Low Probability Feels ScaryI’m no stranger to autoimmune conditions. Let's take a look: I am among the roughly 1% of the population that has celiac...reactions1comment
New Year’s Resolutions and Rare DiseasesI'm not a fan of New Year's resolutions. I'm sure many of us have seen or done this before – we make...reactionscomments
Glasses as a Form of Unique Expression With Rare DiseaseLast week, I made the familiar journey from optometrist to optician, getting a new glasses prescription and ordering new frames. I have...reactions2comments
Finding Your Advocacy Voice: Embracing a Safe CommunityAs caregivers, warriors, and allies for individuals with rare diseases, finding our advocacy voice is crucial to raising awareness, promoting understanding, and...reactions4comments
Shining a Light on Rare DiseasesAs a young mom raising a child with a rare disease, I've learned that feeling pressure from uncertainty and heartache is normal...reactionscomments
Grief and Reimagining Advocacy GoalsLife with a rare disease can be unpredictable, and the mental health toll can be significant as we often grapple with loss...reactions3comments
Changing Scarcity Mindset to a Growth Mindset With Rare DiseaseI have been learning more about scarcity mindset, and it got me thinking about how common and easy it is to fall...reactions2comments
How Is Adult-Onset Still’s Disease Treated?In people with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), the immune system does not work the way it should. Instead, their immune system proteins...reactionscomments
What Is the Difference Between Still’s Disease, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis?Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are all forms of arthritis that share many similar...reactionscomments
Balancing Work and Caregiving: Parenting Kids With Special NeedsEvery morning, I wake up with a familiar sense of déjà vu as I feel like I have barely closed my eyes...reactionscomments
Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have Adult-Onset Still’s DiseaseLiving with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) can be challenging and sometimes confusing. Even if you have been living with it for years...reactionscomments
