I remember it so clearly: the day my cardiologist told me I had chronic heart failure. I thought I was doomed; I had no idea what to expect. I was scared, but I didn’t let my fear show. I was determined to do whatever I could to make sure my life didn’t end up drastically …
Diabetes has been a major part of my life since childhood, when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. During the initial diagnosis I was overwhelmed, feeling scared and uncertain about my future. I questioned how I would manage my diabetes as I navigated through adolescence. After some intensive education from my endocrinologist and my …
I am Guy, and I suffer from a hearing loss. I never quite understood why I was different until I was diagnosed as a teenager. After that, I was so scared of being different that I tried to mask my condition and act like everyone else. I had to work harder to understand people and …
My name is Guy, and I’ve been struggling with obesity for much of my life. I was always heavier than my peers growing up and was so embarrassed to even go out. Even though I’ve been ashamed of my weight, I’ve also been afraid to change. But I’ve realized that this is my life, and …
I remember the moment when I was told I had lymphoedema. A condition that would require me to live with severe limitations for the rest of my life. It felt like my whole world had been thrown into a blender and all my hopes and dreams would never be realised. At first, I tried to …
My name is Bella and I have Bronchiectasis. It is something I have had to live with for most of my life, but I am determined to succeed despite it. When I was first diagnosed, I felt like my entire world had been turned upside down. I was confused and scared as to what my …
My name is Jane, and I have been living with Kaposi’s Sarcoma for the past few years. I remember the day I found out I had it like it was yesterday—the shock, the fear, and most of all, the powerlessness I felt. But over time I’ve realized that while I may not have been able …
I’ve had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for over five years now. It all started with a minor cough when I was taking a jog. I thought it wasn’t too serious, but my condition quickly deteriorated and soon I was diagnosed with COPD. At first I was given a pulmonary rehabilitation program and put on …
My name is Jenna and I have been living with the pain and embarrassment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse for years. Six years ago, soon after the birth of my second daughter, I started to experience a strange pain and pressure in my pelvic region. I tried to ignore it, but eventually, I had to face …
My name is Jane and I have dystonia. In short, dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, and it affects my life in many ways – some I never expected. Firstly, there is the sheer physicality of it. I constantly feel pain from my muscle contractions, and this can be relentless at …
