Black and Blue Ribbons – a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

March 5, 2020March 3, 2020

I’m Learning to Celebrate the Small Victories

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

As I’ve mentioned in previous columns my shoulder is probably the most damaged joint in my body. When I was about 15, I dislocated it, broke my collarbone, tore ... Read more

February 27, 2020February 24, 2020

Snow Days Are My Stress Relief Days

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

I love snow. It doesn’t snow very often where I live, but I sure enjoy when it does. We got about 5 inches of snow last Thursday. I work ... Read more

February 20, 2020February 18, 2020

Lessons Learned from an Incredible Bond

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

Presidents Day is a nice three-day weekend to have in the middle of winter and a good time to recharge. As much as I hate to admit it, the ... Read more

February 13, 2020February 10, 2020

Even in a Rainstorm I Seek Out the Positive

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

We’ve had a very strange “winter” so far here in the mid-Atlantic. I used quotation marks because we’ve barely had a winter. We’ve only had a few days of ... Read more

February 6, 2020February 4, 2020

Remembering to Find the Positives in My Therapies

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

I try hard not to be negative or to complain too much. Overall, my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is not as bad as it could be, and I’ve found ways ... Read more

January 30, 2020January 28, 2020

To Cope with Flares, I Mentally Block the Pain

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

As I wrote in last week’s column, I’m dealing with a pain flare. The pain, while better, is still not where it should be. The sensation is difficult to ... Read more

January 23, 2020January 21, 2020

Managing My Latest Pain Flare

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

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 ... Read more

January 16, 2020January 14, 2020

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

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

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 ... Read more

January 9, 2020January 7, 2020

Stretching into the New Year with Restorative Yoga

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

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 ... Read more

January 2, 2020December 19, 2019

I Focus on the Holiday Spirit Instead of My EDS

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

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 ... Read more