“I later learned he had a pattern of doing this to mothers. It’s unfortunately a very real reality for mothers of chronically ill children.”
‘Your wife looks really suspicious for Munchausen’s by proxy.’ He warned other doctors about me.’: Mom to medically complex child urges ‘ALWAYS trust your gut’ after doctor’s malpractice
‘She will be in a wheelchair her entire life.’: 6-year-old walks for first time after widowed dad raises 100k for life-changing surgery
“She has defied all odds.”
‘You’re perfect for each other.’ In her presence, I felt I could be something more than what I was.’: Woman shares beautiful journey with her guide dog
“She walked me across the stage to get two degrees. She helped me meet new people and form lasting friendships. All she asked for in return were belly rubs.”
‘If something doesn’t turn around, you won’t make it out of here.’ I CAN’T have a 4th surgery.’: Survivor of 3 life-threatening surgeries advocates for those with invisible illnesses
“I truly believe that miracles happen every day, otherwise, I wouldn’t be here today.”
‘She’ll pass away within 2 weeks.’ I was the FIRST child in the world to survive.’: Woman shares journey as survivor of rare congenital abdominal aortic aneurysm
“My feet would go numb. ‘This isn’t normal,’ teammates would say. In hindsight, I think sports helped save my life.”
‘You can’t have these symptoms because they do not match your appearance. You must imagine them.’: Woman with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome shares journey to diagnosis, reclaiming her life
“I was in endless survival mode, in bed for months, and none of my doctors believed me. Every well-crafted piece that compiled my life broke apart. I realized that no matter how hard I tried, there was no way back into my old life. I needed to find a new purpose, a new definition of who I was and what I wanted in life. And that’s when something shifted inside me.”
5 Things To NEVER Say To Someone With Chronic Illness
“Words have power. If you know someone with chronic illness, taking time to consider what you’re saying to them may help them feel more supported and less alone.”
‘Something’s wrong with Shaina!’ She lay stiff, her face crimson, lips bluish. When we received an answer, it was devastating.’: Girl with BPAN, a rare disease, inspires kindness movement
“Her diagnosis sent us reeling, but we decided we wouldn’t define Shaina by her condition but by her sunshine personality.”
‘They told me, ‘There’s no way you have that. Take an antidepressant.’ I was in horrible pain and no one was listening to me.’: Woman living with chronic pain shares diagnosis journey
“Some days I am so hungry and have a fridge full of food, but I can’t eat it. When I do eat, the pain is so bad I’m curled up in a fetal position for the rest of the night. Then I wake up and I do it all over again.”
‘If I don’t answer that door, whatever news they have will go away.’ I knew. A mother always knows.’: Mom shares tragic loss of son, hometown hero
“Three hours later, our doorbell rang. ‘It’s the cops!’ I heard them ask if we owned a 2017 Jeep. I was immobilized, tears stinging, unable to speak.”