Julie’s pain tolerance has been extensively tested through nearly two decades of severe and often inexplicable pain. While she’s made some concessions (no driving, for example), she hasn’t let pain stop her from following her interests, wherever they lead.
Category: Patient Profile
Linda’s Story: A Public Relations Professional Struggles to Explain Her Sitting Pain
Linda V, a former public relations professional, struggles to explain her sitting disability. And without understanding, it’s hard to secure the social grace necessary to function in a world designed for sitting.
Francesca’s Story: With No Diagnosis, How Do You Fight for Your Health?
As a young adult, Francesca P. would ignore her minor hurts, and they would go away. Until, one day, they didn’t.
Claire’s Story: It’s Not Easy to Loosen up when You Have Stiff Person Syndrome
Ten years ago, Claire M. had the contours of her life plotted out. She worked part-time doing customer service and other odd jobs for her husband’s employer, but the better part of her energy was spent taking care of her family. Her oldest son, born in 2002, had a rare genetic anomaly. A section of his DNA had been duplicated, which caused autism-like behaviors, a deformity in one foot, and an inability to sweat. Claire’s younger son wasn’t classified as special needs, but like all children, the six-year-old boy needed attention and love. Claire hadn’t expected to become a full-time…
Lisa’s Story: Cyclist’s Syndrome Hits Probation Officer Where It Hurts
Lisa’s love affair with engines and fast rides would remain with her for decades. And no one, certainly not Lisa, expected that a little thing like nerve entrapment would pull her permanently off a motorcycle.
Maryanne’s Story: A Catholic Sister Prays for Healing, Gets Pelvic Pain
Maryanne knew her purpose. She was going to be a Catholic sister. But the convent wasn’t designed with pudendal neuralgia in mind.
Nick’s Story: A Mobile Software Developer Remains Sedentary, Develops Back Pain
Nick B. was establishing himself as a mobile software developer when anterolisthesis made seated work impossible.
Deb’s Story: A Biologist with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Stretches Herself, and Hears Her Back Go “Pop.”
Deb M., a trained cell biologist, manages Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a sitting disability. Oh, and she also creates beautiful scenes with epoxy resins.
Stan’s Story: From Aspiring Nomad to Homebody to Sciatica Cheerleader
Stan moved to Miami to enjoy the outdoors and fix up a van. Instead, he got sciatica, and saw the inside of his house.
Kelly’s Story: When Sciatica Is the Family Legacy
Kelly fully appreciated how devastating back problems could be, having witnessed a family member’s hellish trek toward a cure. Her mother has a history of herniated discs, and at one point the condition was so debilitating that she couldn’t walk or sit for more than a few minutes without experiencing pain.