“Listen to yourself.” Member Daniela opens up about life with MS and psoriasis

Daniela (DanielaO) is living with multiple sclerosis and psoriasis  in Puglia, Italy, and loves crafts, art history, music and traveling. She recently opened up to us about getting her first diagnosis at age 14, managing multiple conditions, and how connecting with others on PatientsLikeMe makes her feel “present and part of a whole.” Here’s what… Continue reading “Listen to yourself.” Member Daniela opens up about life with MS and psoriasis

“I have been trying to push myself more, little by little.” Member Christopher shares his journey with PTS

We recently got the chance to talk with Christopher (crine312), a computer-savvy dog lover and U.S. Air Force veteran living with PTS and bipolar. Christopher opened up about life after serving in the military — how he sometimes still  thinks in military time and tries to avoid news reports about war — and the challenges… Continue reading “I have been trying to push myself more, little by little.” Member Christopher shares his journey with PTS

Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis: Member Casper opens up about his MS journey

We recently got to know Casper (casper80), a member of the MS community who’s been living with his condition for nearly a decade. Along with tracking his health on PatientsLikeMe, Casper follows the “Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Recovery Program” (OMS), founded by Professor George Jelinek of the University of Melbourne over 15 years ago. The program focuses… Continue reading Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis: Member Casper opens up about his MS journey

“The most important thing is to know you are not alone” — Member Vicki opens up about her TBI

Vicki (Vickikayb) is an avid gardener, volunteers at a wildlife rehabilitation center and loves to cheer on the Kentucky Wildcats. She’s also been living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2004. In a recent interview, Vicki shared how she lives a full life in spite of her condition and how it’s inspired a new… Continue reading “The most important thing is to know you are not alone” — Member Vicki opens up about her TBI

“I have learned and grown from this and now I want to help others” — Iris shares her story for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so we caught up with member Iris (Imartinez) to find out what living with this condition is really like. Iris opened up about getting diagnosed at just 28 years old, the challenges of her treatment journey and her passion for riding her motorcycle. For Iris, attitude is everything: “Having… Continue reading “I have learned and grown from this and now I want to help others” — Iris shares her story for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Patients as Partners: Christel on “finding your tribe”

Today, we’re sharing the final piece of the Patients as Partners series from Christel, who’s living with type 1 diabetes. Christel has relied on several of the Partnership Principles including respect, communication, and shared responsibility throughout her journey. Below, see what she says about connecting with others who know what she’s going through and discovering… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Christel on “finding your tribe”

Patients as Partners: Doug on learning about himself through others

Next up in our Partnership Principles series is Team of Advisors member Doug (ducksixty). A writer and former actor, Doug tapped into his creative side and has shared a personal essay about Steve, a neighbor with fibromyalgia who unknowingly helped him realize something about his own experience with depression. Check out his story below and… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Doug on learning about himself through others

Patients as Partners: Cyrena talks empathy and assertiveness

We’ve been talking to 2015-2016 Team of Advisors about the Partnership Principles they put together and how they use them in their personal health journeys. Next up is Cyrena, who’s living with bipolar II and lupus and recently completed her PhD in pharmacology. Below, she talks about managing multiple conditions, getting on the same page… Continue reading Patients as Partners: Cyrena talks empathy and assertiveness

Patients as Partners: John and David share their clinical trial experiences

We’ve been hearing from members of the Team of Advisors about how they’ve used the Partnership Principles in their health journeys. Recently, we sat down with John (Dockstoy), living with ALS, and David (Davidgewirtz), who’s living with lung cancer. John and David are both interested in research and have been involved in a few clinical trials. Below,… Continue reading Patients as Partners: John and David share their clinical trial experiences

Patients as Partners: An open letter from Craig to the “normals”

We’ve been hearing from members of the Team of Advisors about how they’ve used the Partnership Principles in their health journeys. For Craig (woofhound), who’s living with fibromyalgia, it’s important to forge strong relationships with “normals,” or people who don’t know what it’s like to live with a chronic condition. By talking openly about illness, Craig believes,… Continue reading Patients as Partners: An open letter from Craig to the “normals”