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

Deciphering the Types of Bruises My EDS Causes

As someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), bruising is just a part of life. I rarely give my bruises more than a passing glance anymore. They’re just of a part of my natural complexion at this point. People who aren’t used to my bruising tend to be pretty shocked, and…

Taking Time to Recharge

Summer and fall have been a nonstop whirlwind. A few weeks after graduation (I work as a college counselor at a private high school), the owner of the farm where I live had major knee surgery. That put me on farm duty for several months. My brother got married. And…

Will Safety Vest Draw Attention to My EDS?

In the equestrian sport of eventing, we use a lot of gear. One piece of that puzzle is the safety gear we wear, particularly in the cross-country phase, where we jump solid obstacles in open fields or in the woods. Anytime a horse and rider are out on cross-country, riders…

I’ve Found Some Success with a New Side Road

I’ve previously discussed how having Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) means that I often have to take side roads to reach my goals or engage in activities I enjoy. While I used to find that immensely frustrating, I now view it as another challenge to face head-on. In my work with…

New Partners Celebrate October Success

It turns out the crazy busy week paid off. I spent last weekend at a horse show in North Carolina, and Cherry and I had an amazing time! It was our first time showing at the Beginner Novice level, where the jumps are a maximum height of 2 feet…

Surviving the Chaos of October

Fall in the college counseling profession is like running the proverbial rat race. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day for the amount of work that needs to be done. Students procrastinate and need help at the last minute. Students who don’t…