Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

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…