I’m going to keep this one short, sweet, and to the point. There have been many college students and young adults partying and going out right now. It is around the time for spring break (mine was a couple of weeks ago). I realize a lot of nightlife has been shut down, as well as most music festivals and concerts.
I don’t think I need to remind all college-age kids out there that there is a virus running rapidly in many countries, including the United States. In fact, the death toll in this country just hit triple digits. COVID-19 is…
I know we have history and mine is hating you — hating you for ruining my life by changing it forever. You have thrown me for a loop these past eight years. You nearly destroyed my body twice. You made me more self-conscious than I already was. My lips will never be the same.
But, I am no better. I resented you and tried to make you disappear by acting like you did not exist. I blamed you for all the bad in my life, though a lot of it is your fault. I saw you as an abusive relationship…
When I was 11 years old, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Although it was nice to receive an answer as to why my lips were swollen, it had been such a long, confusing journey to get to that point. One year felt like five. Not to mention that was all coupled with the worst year of bullying I had ever received.
I entered middle school with new school supplies and a diagnosis for an illness I would have for the rest of my life. I felt alone and isolated. All pre-teens and teenagers are self-conscious, but it was a…
So, I just watched a YouTube video by the amazing llSuperwomanll, also known as Lily Singh, called “ I’m NOT sorry,” and I got inspired. In the video, she talks about how she apologizes for not wearing makeup but then realizes that she shouldn’t have to. Makeup isn’t what makes you beautiful, it’s your personality. I decided to put my own spin on that ideology.
Ever since I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, I felt guilty and embarrassed about my illness. I was also very scared because I was still a kid. I didn’t understand what Crohn’s was at all…
Dear 11-Year-Old Me,
You were just told you have Crohn’s disease. You’re scared. You’re anxious. You feel guilty. Most of all, you feel isolated. I wish I could say it gets easier. I wish I could say that those feelings go away after a while. Yes, it gets better. But, nothing goes away permanently.
Crohn’s is very isolating. People will tell you they know someone who has it, but that’s about it. You may not knowingly meet anyone else who has a chronic illness. I hate that I’m saying this to you, but it’s true.
I have always loved horses. There isn’t a time where I don’t remember playing with horse figures or dreaming of my future barn. I couldn’t imagine my life without them, so much so that I’m currently studying equine science with hopes of doing something with equine nutrition. People are surprised when they find out I want to dedicate my entire life to one animal, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I started riding when I was really young but was pulled out because I couldn’t focus. I ended up going karate for a few years to improve my…
I go to college. I am a part of a community service club. I volunteer with my school’s therapeutic riding program. I earn A’s and B’s in school. I attend a horseback riding class for an hour twice a week.
From the outside looking in, I seem to have a normal life. I seem like I have it somewhat together. Anyone could assume I haven’t been through much. I appear to be healthy and of a sound mind. I seem to be fine. What people don’t see is what I actually go through. No one would know I have Crohn’s…
If you saw me walking around campus, you would assume I am your average college student. I take five to six classes a semester. I eat at the dining hall. I am apart of a club. I’m an Equine Studies major, so I spend time in the barn riding and taking care of my care horse. I make sure all my assignments are completed on time and study for every exam. From the outside, I’m just a normal college student.
What people don’t see is my invisible illness. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at the age of eleven, eight…
When people hear the word “disability”, they think wheelchair, cane, deaf, blind, injury, etc. They can see it and think it mostly happens to old people or people who have been in a traumatic accident. Although those are all valid reasons for a disability, there is so much more to it.
Disability is both invisible and visible illnesses. It’s being stricken with a disease at the worst possible time in your life. It’s waiting anywhere from a month to a decade or more for answers. It’s not being believed by doctors. It’s being yelled at by doctors.
Disability includes mental…
Getting diagnosed with a chronic illness is gut-wrenching. Suddenly, your life has changed. You have gone from a healthy person to a sick one. You have to worry about medications, doctors’ appointments, and conserving energy levels. You start to stress about how you are going to everyday tasks, such as doing laundry, dishes, and necessary errands. You have trouble telling your friends and family because you don’t want to seem like a burden.
This is the “new normal”. Every single person with a chronic illness can relate. If you are diagnosed with something that you are going to have for…
