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This is a site for those with chronic illnesses made by people with chronic illnesses. Although we all may be affected in very different ways by the illness, the purpose of this site is to help you navigate to this “new norm” everyone always talks about.
What really do they mean by the “new norm?”
In February 2017, I was diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and went from climbing mountains in the Himalayas one month to using mobility aids the next from disabling symptoms of high heart rates (we talking like 160s), dizziness, brain fog, and palpitations– just from standing.
Needless to say, my old life was definitely put on the back burner for awhile. I used to be an EMT so understanding what was happening to my body was easy (my physiology classes in college helped a good bit too), but learning how to navigate and cope through this new transition to POTS life was quite difficult. I was diagnosed in under a month after symptoms started, which was great, but was sent home from the hospital with the instructions to “do physical therapy, eat salt, drink water, and wear compression,” good luck.
Really, is that it, is that all I can do?
My question exactly. And if you have an elusive and complex illness like mine, probably your question as well. I spent so much time searching to find the right compression gear (because they didn’t give me any recommendations), the right electrolytes for my water, and basic adaptive living information that it really did become overwhelming. If you have a condition that limits your physical functioning, this site will help you through this process much more quickly, especially if you have a condition like POTS, Fibro, or EDS.
This is a site that provides information about adaptive living hacks for young people whose bodies tell them they are 100 years old, but who want to continue living life as young as possible. I always joked that I was an old soul and grandma of a friend, but I never thought that I would be using a handicap placard, compression stockings, and a rollator just to walk through a grocery store to get electrolyte tablets at 23 years old.
So, if you are having to face a new health reality, are feeling apprehensive because of it, and wish this whole situation never happened to you, I understand. But life is life and we gotta go back to living it!
Remember, this website is not a substitute for physician advise or instruction. It is not medical advice, but rather advise on how to navigate still being you with the new “you.”
Learn some tips and tricks about living with chronic illness!
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