Columns

It’s that time of year when it seems as if everyone is getting sick with something, especially at school. Kids are out with colds, the flu, COVID-19, strep throat, and more. Some days it feels like we’re living in a petri dish, as we teachers douse ourselves with hand sanitizer…

One thing that’s particularly difficult about managing Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is that the same activity can affect me differently on different days. I try to keep track of patterns or movements that are likely to cause a pain flare, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work. Some days, I can…

Recently, I woke up with a slightly sore neck. It wasn’t anything major, but enough to make me notice. I hoped that moving around and stretching would help it go away. At first, it seemed like I might be right; after doing my morning farm chores and a few…

Over the past several weeks, I realized just how exhausted I was as winter break approached. As a teacher, I’m fortunate to have time off for the holidays, and this year I needed it more than ever. Instead of traveling, I spent my break catching up on things at home,…

It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached the end of the semester at the school where I work. I’ve been able to fit in a few physical therapy sessions for my broken rib and sprained diaphragm — which have had a cascade of effects thanks to my Ehlers-Danlos…

Last week, I had my first physical therapy (PT) appointment for my broken rib and sprained diaphragm. Even after an initial evaluation, I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I was a bit nervous about our plan to try the Graston technique. In the end, though, it was…

Sometimes I feel like my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is just plain weird. I can’t always figure out what’s going on or why, which makes it harder to manage. Recently, I’ve been waking up with a stiff neck and back, and sometimes my muscles feel shaky, as if I haven’t…

I’ve had a busy couple of weeks, but I received some good news: After advocating for myself, I was approved to start physical therapy (PT) for my broken rib and sprained diaphragm! Last week, I had an evaluation with the same physical therapist I’ve been seeing since I…

Recovery is such an up-and-down experience. I want to move forward, make progress, and get on with life, but that’s not how recovery works, especially for those of us with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). While my overall trajectory is upward, I’m having a tough time with the setbacks and not-so-great…

Last week, my discomfort and frustration with my recent rib and diaphragm injury reached a tipping point. More than anything, I was frustrated by my reactive diaphragm, which made me often feel nauseous. Physical pain I can deal with — those of us with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) are used…