Black and Blue Ribbons – a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

May 23, 2019May 21, 2019

Horses, Hounds, and Hyperflexibility: Just Another Day on the Farm

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

When you live on a farm, you are witness to many bizarre events. Animals are amazing and wonderful, but they have their moments and a baffling knack for getting ... Read more

May 16, 2019May 14, 2019

I’ve Had to Get Creative to Overcome Muscle Tightness

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

I can manage to do most of what I want to, despite my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Sometimes, though, I have to get creative to pull it off. Because my joints ... Read more

May 9, 2019May 8, 2019

A Squirrel Sneezes — and My Pain Flares Up

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

Overall, things have been going great in my life. My new horse Cherry is learning quickly, my other horse Spots is healing, and Pilates and massages generally keep me ... Read more

May 2, 2019April 30, 2019

A Bit of Horse Sense: Sometimes It’s the Little Things

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

Back in November when I fell off my horse Spotty, I badly sprained my left medial collateral ligament and my right ankle. I could barely walk. Limping was entertaining because ... Read more

April 25, 2019April 23, 2019

I Have Greater Empathy for Others, Thanks to My EDS

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

One common issue that many people with an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) deal with is that we “look normal.” While I’m grateful that it’s not blatantly obvious to most people that ... Read more

April 18, 2019April 17, 2019

Starting a New Adventure with My New Horse

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

In the intervening weeks since my competition horse Spotty was diagnosed with a disorder affecting his legs, I realized that if I wanted to continue to improve my riding and ... Read more

April 11, 2019April 10, 2019

Farm Chores Are a Unique Form of Therapy

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

While you likely know by now that I have horses, you may not realize that I live on a small, private, horse-breeding farm. The owner is active duty in ... Read more

April 4, 2019April 3, 2019

I’m Learning to Accept I Can’t Do All I Once Could

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

I’m not good at accepting my limitations. While I’ve gotten better about it over the years, I’m stubborn, and if EDS says I shouldn’t do something, my usual response ... Read more

March 28, 2019March 26, 2019

Pilates Has Worked Wonders for My EDS Challenges

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

Back in December I started Pilates. Wow. Seriously, I love it. I never imagined that I’d enjoy working out in the traditional sense, but this is different. In November ... Read more

March 21, 2019March 19, 2019

My Continual Work Toward Managing Stress

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

It’s been a few weeks since Spotty received his diagnosis. My vet came out to look at my horse and go over ultrasound images taken by my orthopedic specialist ... Read more