Black and Blue Ribbons - a Column by Karen Del Vecchio

After a tough couple of weeks, life is finally starting to settle back down for me. I’m less stressed, my bruises from a recent fall are healing, and I’m feeling better. It’s taken some time, but I’m on the upswing. During an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) pain flare,…

As I landed face first in the cold mud, I was at least glad that the ground was soft and not frozen. While I marveled at the lack of awareness that led to me tripping and crashing, I was also thinking I had hit my threshold for crappy moments. I’ve…

Some weeks just don’t go how you hope they will. This past week was like that for me, and I can really feel it. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) unfortunately means I have a strong physical-emotional connection. Being stressed often makes me stiff and sore, which in turn makes me…

Sometimes, when my back pain flares up, I know exactly what caused it. Other times, I have no idea. Last week fell into the “no clue” category. I knew that my back was sore, but it wasn’t until my massage therapist, Kim, really began working on it that I…

I’m back! I had a fantastic time at my recent work conference and learned so much from the colleagues I met there. Last week, I wrote that I was worried about dining options, as I have food sensitivities from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as well as alpha-gal syndrome, a…

I’m preparing for a work conference, and for such events my dietary restrictions are a new element I have to consider carefully. Between the general food sensitivities that come with my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and being diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-borne disease that makes me allergic…

It’s the season for dry skin. Between the cold weather and frequent hand-washing, I can’t seem to stay ahead of it. I have a variety of heavy-duty lotions, but sometimes my skin still gets too dry. The worst part about that is the itching. I know, you’re not supposed to…

Back during that crazy cold snap in December, I remembered how amazing heating pads can be. Where I live, houses aren’t built with subzero wind chills in mind. So let’s just say that it got rather nippy inside when the wind chill outdoors hit somewhere around -7 F. I learned…

I don’t sit still well. I’m not sure I would’ve survived elementary school if I hadn’t been in a Montessori-style school that allowed me to move around at will, do my math while lying on the floor, and explore new things. I can sit and focus without trouble when I…

I love dogs — I have two rescue dogs — but some days they sure give me a run for my money. I was recently watching a friend’s dogs while she was out of town. My friend lives on a farm, like I do, but her farm is bigger…