Black and Blue Ribbons
— Karen Del Vecchio

For the past week or so, I’ve been dealing with a pain flare. As sometimes happens with me, I don’t really know what started it. I have old injuries that are easy to aggravate, and they become the points from which my pain tends to radiate.

One of the great things about working at a school is the time I get off. As someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), chronic fatigue is my nemesis. I’m always tired. I usually aim to get eight or nine hours of sleep a night, but I still wake up tired.

Well, it’s officially 2020! It feels odd to say that. Then again, I’m pretty sure I said the same thing back in 2000 and 2010, so I digress. To wrap up 2019, I tried a new activity that I found both beneficial and enjoyable — yoga. My extended family traditionally…

I love the holiday season. Time spent with family, brisk winter air, time off from work (a bonus to working for a school), and giving gifts that make people smile — it’s hard to top that! I also try my best to make sure that my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) affects…

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…

The past few weeks have gone by like a whirlwind. My horse, Cherry, and I had an awesome time at our last show of the season, most of the seniors I work with have finished their college applications, and I got together with two of my closest friends…

While in the mindset of slowing down and allowing myself time to recharge, I decided to take a short vacation. I rarely take time out because I always have so much going on. But I reached out to my two closest friends from college and asked if they wanted…

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…

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…

Recently, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) made news headlines. That doesn’t happen often. Actress Lena Dunham announced that she has EDS in response to questions about a photo of her using a mobility aid. While I’d heard her name, I knew little about the actress, but I want to give her…

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…

Generally speaking, showing my horse is great. The shows are exhausting, but they are so much fun that I do them anyway. A recent show was no different. Even though riding is an individual sport, team members all support one another.