An avid equestrian and educator, Karen has been a columnist at BioNews — the publisher of this site — since 2019. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in 2009 after years of searching for a diagnosis that explained her symptoms. Karen enjoys working with her students, riding and caring for her two horses (Cherry and Spotty), and connecting with others in the rare disease community through her writing.
Apparently, I’ve been compiling an unintended list of stupid things not to do when you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). First I fell out of a Kubota tractor while driving through a field. Then I was bitten on the arm by a grumpy mare who was having hoof pain…
Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of ways to make myself more comfortable at work, where I’m a teacher and college counselor. With my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), too much time in any one position, whether sitting or standing, can cause discomfort. My workdays fluctuate between lots of time…
Last week, I was surprised when building a ramp for my dog didn’t cause my pain to flare up. This week, I’m shocked because I’m in the middle of a pain flare, and I don’t know why! That’s pretty much the epitome of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). It comes…
Just when I think I know how my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) will react in certain situations, I’m always surprised at what actually happens. My dog Pepper has recently been having trouble climbing stairs. She’s 13, and I’ve had her for two years. I knew that at some point she’d…
I vaguely heard a familiar jingle, which in my fuzzy state, confused me. Why was my alarm going off when it was still dark outside? I know I get up early to take care of the animals on my small farm before I go to work, but I don’t…
Do not fall out of a Kubota vehicle. You’re probably thinking, gee, that’s a pretty obvious statement. Yep, it sure is. And despite using four-wheel minitruck vehicles on farms for over a decade, I managed to take my first tumble off one recently. Despite only sliding a few…
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. As a teacher, the end of winter always seems to drag, as cold, gray days and lots of sick kids make for a tough couple of months. I was pretty lucky this year, as I’d gotten only a mild cold back in…
My right shoulder has been causing me problems for more than 20 years, though I’ve made much progress. The original injury happened during a soccer game and has reverberated since then, often as either the cause or a participant in my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) pain flares. I remember…
When I woke up on a Saturday morning a few weeks ago, I suspected that I might’ve slept in an awkward position. I didn’t feel too bad, though, so I got up and started moving. I was hopeful that I just needed to stretch and loosen up. But I quickly…
The rising and falling temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately have been challenging for me. With Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), I already tend to have tight muscles that cause pain. It’s a constant battle, regardless of what month of the year it is or whether it’s hot or cold outside.
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