Karen Del Vecchio,  —

An avid equestrian and educator based in Virginia, Karen Del Vecchio was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in 2009 after years searching for a diagnosis that explained her symptoms. Since her diagnosis at the Johns Hopkins Connective Tissues Disorder Clinic, she has worked to find ways to manage her symptoms while still maintaining an active lifestyle. Karen enjoys working with her students, riding and caring for her two horses, Cherry and Spotty, and connecting with others in the rare disease community through her writing.

Articles by Karen Del Vecchio

One Small Move Prompts a New Pain Flare

As soon as I felt my shoulder click, I knew I was in trouble. Overall, my body had been doing relatively well recently, without any pain flares. But that subtle feeling in my shoulder let me know the streak was about to come to an end. While I often…

How to Manage Dining Out With Food Sensitivities

Wow, I continue to be overwhelmed by everyone’s responses to my previous two columns about food sensitivities! I had no idea that what I knew was an issue for those of us with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) was so prevalent. While these sensitivities can be frustrating at times,…

What’s Up With My Unusual Food Sensitivities?

Wow! I was completely surprised by the overwhelming response to my recent column about my dairy intolerance. While I’ve known for a while that gastrointestinal (GI) upset is an issue for many of us with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I had no idea how many of us dealt with…

Why Is My Left Side Suddenly as Sore as My Right?

If I had to pick a place on my body that would cause me issues with my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), it’d basically be anywhere on my right side. I’ve injured my right shoulder, ankle, knee, hip, and hand. Thankfully, my left side hasn’t been nearly as battered…