Black and Blue Ribbons – a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

$massage, 2020, finger, fracture, awareness, sign, surge capacity, tension$

An avid equestrian and educator, Karen has been a columnist at BioNews — the publisher of this site — since 2019. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in 2009 after years of searching for a diagnosis that explained her symptoms. 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.

November 17, 2020November 16, 2020

Mitigating the Effects of EDS on My Injury

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

It’s been seven weeks since I badly broke my right ring finger. Last Monday, I went in for a follow-up appointment with my surgeon. My physical therapist and I ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 6, 2020

Finding Our Common Ground

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

People in the rare disease community experience a variety of syndromes that vary in both severity and how they affect people. Some aspects of rare diseases are universal, while ... Read more

November 3, 2020October 29, 2020

Staying Positive When Frustration Sets In

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

I’m exhausted. I feel like I say that a lot, but it’s true. I’m physically tired, both from going nonstop and from being sore due to falling off my ... Read more

October 27, 2020October 23, 2020

I’m Constantly Grateful for the Benefits of Massage

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

Every day I’m incredibly thankful to be able to see a fantastic massage therapist on a regular basis. People often don’t understand how Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), which causes loose ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 16, 2020

Another Round in the Finger Saga

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

A few weeks ago I was pretty happy to hear that because my finger injury was a break in the bone, my Eherls-Danlos syndrome (EDS) likely wouldn’t significantly impede ... Read more

October 13, 2020October 9, 2020

Some Days Are Just So 2020

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

I saw a cartoon the other day that showed a husband and wife sitting on a sofa. The wife asked her husband how his day was. He answered, “It ... Read more

October 6, 2020October 2, 2020

Progress With My Horse Becomes a Setback With My Hand

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

Well, it’s been a rather eventful week since my last column. I was excited to have an appointment scheduled with a veterinarian last week for my horse Cherry to ... Read more

September 29, 2020September 25, 2020

Spreading EDS Awareness Is Critical

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

Life has continued to be a stressful whirlwind of teaching, college counseling, and just trying to manage the all-hands-on-deck reality of working in a school that’s back in session ... Read more

September 22, 2020September 17, 2020

Spotting a Sign of EDS in My Younger, Undiagnosed Self

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

Last weekend, I had a chance to go to my parents’ house for a while. They live only about 45 minutes away, but with everything I’ve had going on ... Read more

September 15, 2020September 11, 2020

Finding Relief From GI Discomfort With Probitiocs

Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio, Columns

Like many people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrom, I often have gastrointestinal issues. I was diagnosed with a gut motility issue as a teenager, but I can really trace the problem ... Read more