Support #myEDSchallenge and help me reach my goal!

I have joined the May Awareness Month Challenge to spread awareness and raise funds to support The Ehlers-Danlos Society by participating in the myEDSchallenge. Please support me by donating to my fundraising page. Together, even a small amount can make a huge difference!

I was diagnosed with EDS at the age of 23, after having an injury to my shoulder that caused multi-directional instability. During my surgery, an around the world capsular shift, my amazing surgeon saw signs that something was wrong. At my post-op appt, he told me that he thought I had EDS. Even though I was a nurse, I had never heard of it. I did research and talked with family members and found that many members of my family shared the same symptoms. Over the next decade I had many injuries and by the time I was 37 I had gone through 17 surgeries. My formal diagnoses came from the EDS clinic at the Mayo in Rochester. I have been able to change my job to work from home and with modifications, I am still able to work full time. My flare-ups can be very painful but I have found a way to treat much of my pain with an very nice ice machine. I feel very blessed to have the physicians that I do and the job that I do. My family is also amazing supportive and although I know each year will bring new and painful challenges, but with the support that I have, I will get through them.

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of heritable connective tissue disorders that produce a spectrum of complex problems across multiple systems of the body. Symptoms that are often seen across all types are hypermobile joints, (that can move farther than normal), stretchy skin, & fragile tissues. Each case is unique and severity may range dramatically, even within families.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society is a global community dedicated to saving & improving the lives of those affected by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, hypermobility spectrum disorders, & related conditions. Our goal is world-wide awareness and better quality of life for all who suffer from these conditions, regardless of geography.

Please support me as I overcome my challenges with EDS to participate in the myEDSchallenge by donating. Thank you!