Columns

Change happens. I have had many roles in my life, including being a daughter, wife, and mother. I’ve also been a student, artisan, neighbor, patient, and advocate. You probably have had similar experiences. Roles have come, and roles have gone. It’s part of the natural waxing and waning of life.

I try hard not to be negative or to complain too much. Overall, my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is not as bad as it could be, and I’ve found ways to manage most of my symptoms. I usually can do what I enjoy with a bit of creativity. Still, I…

As I wrote in last week’s column, I’m dealing with a pain flare. The pain, while better, is still not where it should be. The sensation is difficult to explain. The best way to describe it is numb — I can feel it, but the pain is beneath the…

For the past week or so, I’ve been dealing with a pain flare. As sometimes happens with me, I don’t really know what started it. I have old injuries that are easy to aggravate, and they become the points from which my pain tends to radiate.

One of the great things about working at a school is the time I get off. As someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), chronic fatigue is my nemesis. I’m always tired. I usually aim to get eight or nine hours of sleep a night, but I still wake up tired.

Usually, negative feelings are rooted in unmet expectations. Examining those expectations and deciding if they are reasonable can be particularly helpful when life changes. I recently adjusted my expectations for the holiday season, and now that we have made it through and are settling into the new year, I can…

Well, it’s officially 2020! It feels odd to say that. Then again, I’m pretty sure I said the same thing back in 2000 and 2010, so I digress. To wrap up 2019, I tried a new activity that I found both beneficial and enjoyable — yoga. My extended family traditionally…

I love the holiday season. Time spent with family, brisk winter air, time off from work (a bonus to working for a school), and giving gifts that make people smile — it’s hard to top that! I also try my best to make sure that my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) affects…

As someone with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), bruising is just a part of life. I rarely give my bruises more than a passing glance anymore. They’re just of a part of my natural complexion at this point. People who aren’t used to my bruising tend to be pretty shocked, and…

The past few weeks have gone by like a whirlwind. My horse, Cherry, and I had an awesome time at our last show of the season, most of the seniors I work with have finished their college applications, and I got together with two of my closest friends…