Unbreakable - a Column by Kimberly Zapert

A few months ago, our community’s theater company held auditions for two productions. At the suggestion of someone whose opinions I trust, I contacted the theater company and arranged to audition for one. The river that flows from Egypt straight to my house In my excitement to try something new…

In the not-too-distant past, I hated shopping. Walking across parking lots and winding my way through store aisles was incredibly tiring, thanks to my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and comorbid conditions. Prolonged standing and walking led to severe abdominal pains and vertigo. Sometimes I would have to squat in…

Many people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) experience a form of dysautonomia called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Dysautonomia is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body’s subconscious functions including digestion, heart rate, perspiration, and breathing. Symptoms of POTS, predominantly an elevated heart rate, are…

Injuries happen just like that. It’s usually senseless: a step taken too soon, an unexpected encounter with a door jamb, lifting a handbag on the way out, driving a car. A small, random action can cause a dislocation or subluxation and change the course of the next few days,…

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is teaching me that I want and need structure in every aspect of my life. Much like the presence of EDS, my need for structure and routine is something that has gone unrecognized for most of my life, despite living with the consequences. Until a few…

Subluxations and dislocations are frequent complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Over the past year, my roving joints have made grocery shopping more painful. I have also suffered some acute bruising of my ego from squatting in the grocery store checkout line to relieve the symptoms of postural orthostatic tachycardia…

Many of us are familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) insofar as it guarantees access to public buildings and reasonable workplace accommodations, and protects against employment discrimination. I recently learned that the ADA also allows for accommodations that I need in the courthouse. Over the past year,…

I need my house to be as uncluttered as possible to prevent injury and to function at my best. Unfortunately, bending over, reaching, grasping, and lifting all take their toll on a body that is compromised by the effects of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). A day of housecleaning can mean a…

Pain and the reduced function of my hands significantly affect my life. Knowing what components are structurally compromised and vulnerable to injury due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) aids me in the prevention and treatment of my injuries. Puppets Have you ever seen a toy grabber hand? It is a…

A distressing observation A couple of nights ago, I watched my youngest child as she settled in to go to sleep. She wrestled with her pillow, trying to position it just so because it hurt her neck. In the process, she managed to hurt her chest. She adjusted herself and…