Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

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…

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks as I recover from broken ribs and an injured diaphragm. I’m trying to be patient with the healing process, but that’s not something I’m good at! I’d hoped to begin physical therapy (PT) for my diaphragm and sore core muscles, but because broken…

Physical compensation can be such an odd duck to tackle. Right now, I’m struggling not only with broken ribs and an injured diaphragm, but also with the way my body is trying to compensate. I have a lot of back and hip pain, and I noticed recently that…

I stood there staring at a container on the top shelf of my kitchen cabinet, debating if I should reach up for it or not. After falling off my horse about a month ago and winding up with a broken and dislocated rib, I’ve been forced to rest…