Welcome to Spoony Stories ❤️🥄 Sharing stories is a powerful reminder that we're not alone. Each week, we share stories from our vibrant community to hear all about their experiences being neurodivergent, chronically ill and disabled, and to get to know some of the voices that make our Spoony community so wonderful. This week, we chat with Anna from the United States!
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Welcome to Spoony Stories ❤️🥄 Spoony has the kindest community on the planet! It's such a delight to get to know some of the lovely people on Spoony, and to learn more about their experiences with neurodivergence, chronic illness and disability.
This week, we've been chatting with Anna from the United States. She shares about what it's like to have multiple invisible illnesses, why she started sharing her journey on social media, and much more! ♥️
Are you neurodivergent, chronically ill, and/or disabled?
Neurodivergent and chronically ill.
What health conditions do you have?
EDS, POTS and ADHD.
How do you explain your health conditions to other people?
Early on in my chronic illness journey, I realised that I couldn't explain what I was going through in a short conversation. That's why I started posting on social media to show it's like living behind the scenes with invisible illnesses. I’ve found the best way to explain what I’m going through is by just sharing my daily life and challenges.
What impact do your health conditions have on your daily life?
In the past, my illnesses have completely ruled my life. I've had to focus on just trying to survive and have dropped out of college twice to focus on my health. Recently, my health has been more manageable and I'm in graduate school getting two masters degrees! Although, I still have a lot of daily struggles like fatigue, brain fog, and chronic pain.
What barriers have you experienced in making friends and connecting with people?
Over the past 10 years, I've struggled a lot with loneliness. It felt like all of my spoons were used up on 'basic' tasks like showering and homework, and I had no energy left to have fun. As a result of this, I've lost friends and haven't felt included. I'm very grateful for the friends that I still have who listen and understand what I'm going through.
What's been your experience on Spoony so far?
The community is the best! I love that most people in the community can relate to loneliness and feeling misunderstood, it makes a big difference.
Each week, we share stories from the incredible Spoony community in our newsletter, podcast, and on social media. Share your story with us.