Tag: caregivers
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Finding Real Connection: The Power of Community Engagement and Mental Health
Studies have shown that involvement in community activities significantly reduces feelings of loneliness and depression. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, “Social connectedness is…
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Hurricane Helene’s Impact on Western North Carolina: A Personal Reflection and Call to Action
The Appalachian Mountains, a region steeped in both beauty and history, has long been a defining force in my life. Western North Carolina, where I was born and where most of my family still lives, is not only a landscape of serene valleys and rolling hills, but also a region prone to the destructive forces…
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Understanding Fanconi Anemia: A Rare Genetic Disorder
Fanconi Anemia (FA) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to repair damaged DNA, leading to a host of serious health complications. It’s most commonly inherited and can be passed down if both parents carry a defective gene related to FA. The disease primarily targets the bone marrow, resulting in decreased production…
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Rare to Rare: Caregiving for a Rare as a Rare
Being a caregiver is a challenging role, but when you’re balancing your own chronic illness while caring for a spouse with another rare disease, the challenges intensify. I live with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare connective tissue disorder that leads to chronic pain and physical limitations, while my husband, Dexter, has Fanconi Anemia (FA), a…
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Thinking About Moving to Georgia? You Might Want to Think Twice!
Today’s post takes a detour from my usual topics, but it’s an issue that weighs heavily on my heart: the crumbling state of Georgia’s healthcare system and its devastating impact on those of us with rare diseases. Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare connective tissue disorder, means constantly navigating a complex web of medical…
Country Girl Gone City 