All Posts

Living with an autoimmune condition can feel isolating. The symptoms, the unpredictability, and the emotional toll often make it hard to find people who truly understand. That’s why joining a support group can be such a powerful step. It’s not just about sharing medical advice or treatment tips—it’s about building real connections with others who walk a similar path. I want to share what I’ve learned about creating those meaningful bonds in a support group for autoimmune cond

Living with a chronic illness can feel like walking through a fog that never lifts. Some days are harder than others, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty and limitations that come with ongoing health challenges. But even in the darkest moments, I’ve found that hope is not just a fleeting feeling—it’s a lifeline. It’s what keeps me moving forward, even when the path is unclear. Today, I want to share what I’ve learned about finding hope while living with chron

Living with a chronic illness can feel like walking through a fog that never lifts. Some days are harder than others, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the unpredictability and limitations that come with it. But even in the darkest moments, I’ve found that hope can be a quiet, steady companion. It’s not about ignoring the pain or pretending everything is perfect. Instead, it’s about finding small sparks of light that remind me I’m not alone and that better days are possibl

Living with an autoimmune disease means living in a body that can shift from “okay” to “not okay” in the span of a breath. One moment you’re upright, smiling, maybe even laughing. The next, your energy drops, your symptoms flare, and your body feels like it’s shutting down from the inside out. For many of us in the autoimmune disease community, this rapid shift isn’t just physically painful — it’s emotionally exhausting. Because when people don’t understand how quickly things

I was introduced to the world of Autoimmune disorders before I ever received a diagnosis. I've had family members and friends diagnosed with various different types. It didnt really touch my life on a daily basis until my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Her body attacked itself and her pancreas is completely non-functioning. It threw me into a world of constant worry, Doctors, Pharmacy, 24/7 care and planning. What i didnt realize, was how it was just prepari

Here’s your expanded, polished, full website-ready blog post — warm, uplifting, and aligned with your mission at Dare2Fly. I kept your voice authentic while giving it the depth, flow, and structure of a professional blog. --- 🌿 What Is Peace? Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Peace is often described as freedom from war, quiet moments, or harmony between people. And while those definitions are true, they barely scratch the surface of what peace really means — especially for th

The water has a way of making everything feel quieter. When I look at it, I can almost believe my body is quiet too. The waves move in and out. The surface looks calm. Nothing is demanding an answer. Nothing is asking me which doctor I need to call, which medication I forgot to refill, or whether this new symptom is “normal” or something I need to worry about. That kind of calm matters when you live with chronic illness. Because the truth is, our brains rarely get to power do

There is something healing about standing at the edge of the ocean. The waves don't ask how much pain you're carrying. They don't care about diagnoses, doctor's appointments, medication schedules, or the countless challenges that come with living with chronic illness. They simply roll in and roll back out, reminding us that life is constantly moving, even when we feel stuck. As I stood in the water that day, feeling the salt air on my skin and listening to the rhythm of the w

Facing the Diagnosis End of February 2025, just two days before my 43rd birthday, I received the news that would change my life forever: "You have cancer." I was in shock! "I had what?!", "Why me?!", "How?!", "Now where do I go from here?!" So many questions flooded my mind, yet I had very few answers. ❤️ The Struggle with Low Iron In early 2024, I had been battling low iron levels for months. My stubbornness played a role, but navigating the medical system also delayed my vi

If someone would have said the word boundaries to me 4 years ago, I wouldn't have a clue what they meant! Growing up I was taught to walk away from a fight and to never engage. My parents bought the house when I was 6 years old and man was it fun! Our house is on a dead end and every neighbor had chain link fences soo all of us kids could just hop on over to eachothers yard. It was the 90's and as a kid we were outside more than we were inside. It was so fun until it wasn't.

No one talks about the hours needed to talk to the doctors, get specialty meds filled, or the frustration caused by managing my medical. 6 different doctors in different specialities, all prescribing meds and not one doctor talking to each other! They expect us to be able to decipher there medical jargon, then repeat that same information to another doctor two months later, and all of this with brain fog, chronic fatigue and chronic pain! 🫠 I say all of this as not to compla

This year, while not too far into it, has been full of good days mixed with a few bad days but so far this year seems to be starting off good :). This year I was able to close the final chapter with my life in KC. And YES my son, parents, family and friends still reside there but now I am the visitor. I closed the door and I opened the door to my future with new adventures, love I've only now known and sandy beaches! I have watched my son grow from my little boy to an amazing

Understanding the Weight of Repetition Do you ever find yourself feeling as though you sound like a broken record? It's a sentiment that resonates deeply, especially during those times when you feel physically and emotionally drained. You might catch yourself saying, "I'm tired," or "My body hurts," or perhaps, "I can't go out again." Each phrase feels like a mantra that echoes in your mind, a constant reminder of your limitations and struggles. The repetition can become exha

Understanding Chronic Fatigue Exhaustion is a way of life for me, but learning to accept that has not been easy. Before I got sick, you couldn’t keep me in one place for long. I was a full-time single mom, working 50 or more hours a week while attending school full-time. I juggled house projects and planned future ones. I even worked out in the early mornings to kickstart my day, all while maintaining a social life. Then came the hospital stay in January 2022—27 days in the h

Embracing the Challenges of the Season The holidays are a busy time of year. They can make even the healthiest people feel exhausted. For those of us living with chronic illnesses or autoimmune conditions, the struggle is even greater. This year, I flew home for Thanksgiving for just a few days, but it took me a whole week to recover afterward. I absolutely loved being home and seeing my family, especially since it had been over a year since my last visit. However, the drasti

Living with ulcerative colitis (UC) is a journey filled with ups and downs, moments of hope, and times of struggle. When I first faced this diagnosis, I felt overwhelmed and alone. But over time, I discovered the power of sharing my story. Opening up about my experiences not only helped me heal emotionally but also connected me with others who truly understand. If you’re thinking about sharing your own ulcerative colitis story, I want to walk alongside you and offer some insi

Learning to Live Again When I was first diagnosed, I thought the worst! I felt like I lost everything I had worked for. It was as if I was grieving the death of who I once was. At the same time, I was learning a whole new way of life. I had to learn to listen to my body and forgive myself for needing to take breaks or naps. Allowing myself to rest was a challenge, but it was essential. I was just a month away from turning the big 40, with a trip to the Dominican Republic plan

The Beginning of a New Chapter On December 31, 2021, I was thriving at work. I had just one semester left before earning my Bachelor's in Business. I was on the path to achieving my dreams. But by January 8, 2022, everything changed. I had been hospitalized three times, undergone an emergency colonoscopy, and eventually found myself admitted to the hospital. During this time, Covid was at its peak. The doctor couldn't admit me directly; I had to go through the emergency room.

I was introduced to the world of Autoimmune disorders before I ever received a diagnosis. I've had family members and friends diagnosed with various different types. It didnt really touch my life on a daily basis until my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Her body attacked itself and her pancreas is completely non-functioning. It threw me into a world of constant worry, Doctors, Pharmacy, 24/7 care and planning. What i didnt realize, was how it was just prepari

Understanding Hope What is hope? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, hope is “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true.” However, hope encompasses much more than that. For those of us living with autoimmune or chronic illnesses, hope can be a word we often avoid. We question why we should set ourselves up for failure by indulging in wishful thinking or dreaming of brighter days when they seem unattainable. But it’s crucial to reme