Black and Blue Ribbons – a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

July 18, 2019July 15, 2019

My EDS Physical Therapy Helped an Old Injury

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

I realize that in most of my columns I’ve talked about my injured ankle and knee, as those are the wounds I’ve been having the most trouble with following ... Read more

July 11, 2019July 8, 2019

Missing Pilates Makes a Difference

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

The past two weeks have been a bit crazy. The owner of the farm where I live had ACL and meniscus reconstruction surgery, so I’ve been doing more farm ... Read more

June 27, 2019June 26, 2019

The Good News Continues: Spotty Is Ready for the Next Rehab Step

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

Last week, I shared a positive update about my new horse, Cherry. A few days later, Spotty had his six-month checkup for his ligament injury. We got good news ... Read more

June 20, 2019June 18, 2019

My First Show Back After Injury Was a Resounding Success

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

Last weekend was my first show after falling off my horse last November and badly spraining my right ankle and left MCL. It also was my first show with ... Read more

June 13, 2019June 11, 2019

Pants vs. Shorts: A Battle of the Bruising

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

Pants. For many years, women rallied for the ability to wear pants instead of skirts and dresses. As an extremely active individual, most of the time I fall into ... Read more

June 6, 2019June 3, 2019

Balancing Sleep and a Busy World

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

Perhaps one of the toughest things about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the chronic fatigue. It’s invisible, so those around you often don’t understand, and we live in a fast-paced ... Read more

May 30, 2019May 28, 2019

Pilates Has Brought Me Many Unexpected Benefits

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

As I’ve shared before, Pilates has been an enormous help in managing my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Although I was introduced to it as recently as December, I have noted improvements ... Read more

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