Fight like Mike Tyson

I think getting an EDS diagnosis - or any chronic diagnosis comes with a solid pair of balls attached. It has to or it will eat you alive. You have to fight for everything - insurance coverage, medication, diagnosis, and apparently the ability to qualify for graduation! Thank you God Almighty that I have some good advisers that worked with me at my school. I'm nearing the end of my time spent in classes and nearing my internship. Currently the qualifications for getting a Recreation degree with a TR concentration require a 40 hour per week internship. They are aware of only one exception ever being made and it wasn't for a TR student or for disability reasons. I spent the past week or so figuring out if I spent all of this time and money to not be able to get my degree. They decided to make an exception to the rule so that I can go 20 hour weeks but over double the time span. I also had to call the testing company to figure out if I would even qualify for the certification afterwords. I suppose this is a victory but I feel as though it shouldn't have to be. I shouldn't have to fight tooth and bone for every small thing in life. It amazes me how little the world knows. Obviously they can't be informed on every disability out there but at least be accommodating to an extent. Show some love or compassion instead of being intimidated or stern.

If you want to help in this fight for EDS-ers in the US, sign the petition to help it become a Nationally recognized disability...

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/recognize-ehlers-danlos-syndrome-create-awareness-have-eds-recognized-disability/FFWRj66T

Stay blessed.

Cartoons with EDS

* Merry Christmas! *

I haven't had much time to write as I've been spending time with my family and fairly exhausted with any "free time" I manage to accumulate. However, I do try to get out a new post every week so this week I'm just making it a short fun one. 

These are my TOP 5 Cartoons that likely have EDS...
If you have a favorite as well, leave it in the comment section :)

#5 - Shaggy

#4 - Goofy

#3 - Gumby

#2 - Stretch Armstrong

And drum roll please

.

.

.

.

.

.

#1 - Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Saving a Kitten is a major PAIN

I promise this is EDS related, it just starts with a cute story. ;) So, the other day I decided to be super-woman and save a kitten. If you have ever seen a kitten not all cute and sleeping you know they are quite fiesty. Well, this also means saving their little butts can be quite an interesting ordeal. There was a tiny kitten hopping from car to car engine to try to stay warm. It was getting dark and chances of it surviving the night, or another car engine weren't very good. So I went to snatch it from under the hood of this random guy's car before it could run away. The kitten apparently didn't take this as a friendly gesture and 18 tooth holes later, The kitten is safe and I have to get rabies shots. For the average person they are quite painful. When you are already considered to have chronic pain, this means you shouldn't plan on even having a fan blow on your skin without feeling like your skin is going to explode. I haven't felt this sore since the last time I had surgery... before the pain meds. However, I called my doctor and picked some medicine to help with that. Moral of the story? Avoid wild animals even if they are terribly cute... but carry leather gloves in case you have to save one ;)

Coping and How to Stay Awesome

I'm assuming that the process of finding out you have a disability is similar for everyone. For me, at first I was relieved that it wasn't all in my head. Everything made sense. I wasn't just cursed with clumsiness or illness. There was a genetic REASON for it. After that initial "aha" moment, comes the life style changes to makes sure you don't end up worsening your condition. That leads to sadness and anger. For a while I had a punching bag I would punch when I was really frustrated but my arms would fall out. *sigh* Should have seen that one coming. I was grieving the loss of the old me. So I decided to ask a counselor for some coping tips and ideas on how to still enjoy my life. There's no shame in counseling. I promise. I'm open about it so other people don't feel like they have to hide it.
Anywho. I started making a list of qualities I still have that make me awesome. ;) It makes you realize you're so much more than a disability. Another list I made was of things I CAN do. So what if I can't rock climb or even bowl... I'm still able to draw/paint, walk through the woods (aka mellow hiking), go fishing, and play an awesome game of Apples-to-Apples! If you don't know how to do some of these, I didn't always know either. I picked up fishing this year and am studying art on my free time. Picking up new hobbies is well worth it and makes you a more well rounded person in the long run.
Another problem I ran into is with friends. With EDS, it's so difficult to be a reliable person. You really can't plan ahead since you don't know if you will feel like sunshine or like a bus hit you going full speed down the high way. That means you are now the spontaneous friend! If you are feeling awesome, text everyone to see if they want to go out for the night. If you are sore, invite them over for a movie. No reason you have to go out while sore or give up a good night with friends. Show them your awesome new hobbies or old ones with adaptations. Throw paint at a canvas. Walk pets at the shelter. Bake brownies. :)
One last final note. Most everyone has heard the phrase "fake it 'till you make it". Well, do it. Even if you are feeling like you're falling apart make yourself feel 100%. Confidence goes a long way.
Stay blessed!