Black and Blue Ribbons
— Karen Del Vecchio

As I landed face first in the cold mud, I was at least glad that the ground was soft and not frozen. While I marveled at the lack of awareness that led to me tripping and crashing, I was…

Some weeks just don’t go how you hope they will. This past week was like that for me, and I can really feel it. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) unfortunately means I have a strong physical-emotional connection. Being stressed…

Sometimes, when my back pain flares up, I know exactly what caused it. Other times, I have no idea. Last week fell into the “no clue” category. I knew that my back was sore, but it wasn’t until my…

I’m back! I had a fantastic time at my recent work conference and learned so much from the colleagues I met there. Last week, I wrote that I was worried about dining options, as I have food…

I’m preparing for a work conference, and for such events my dietary restrictions are a new element I have to consider carefully. Between the general food sensitivities that come with my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and being diagnosed…

It’s the season for dry skin. Between the cold weather and frequent hand-washing, I can’t seem to stay ahead of it. I have a variety of heavy-duty lotions, but sometimes my skin still gets too dry. The worst part…

Back during that crazy cold snap in December, I remembered how amazing heating pads can be. Where I live, houses aren’t built with subzero wind chills in mind. So let’s just say that it got rather nippy inside when…

I don’t sit still well. I’m not sure I would’ve survived elementary school if I hadn’t been in a Montessori-style school that allowed me to move around at will, do my math while lying on the floor, and explore…

I love dogs — I have two rescue dogs — but some days they sure give me a run for my money. I was recently watching a friend’s dogs while she was out of town. My friend lives…

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a recent blog post titled “Come As You Are: The Autoimmune Equestrian” on the website Eventing Nation. Eventing, or the triathlon of horse sports, as it’s often called, has…

I hope everyone had a restful holiday and New Year’s, however you choose to celebrate! Mine didn’t turn out as I had planned. My Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) threw in some challenges, but thankfully, a little ingenuity managed to…