Kate's life was transformed overnight, suddenly battling a mysterious illness that led to her join our community. Despite the drastic change, Kate remains hopeful, finding strength in the chronic illness community and participating in research, as she navigates this new, challenging phase of her life.

Cory shares her story, detailing her how life drastically changed last year when she went from being healthy to being severely ill, with fluctuating symptoms and limited energy. She encourages both patients and providers to embrace the uncertainty, hold onto what is certain, and continue to look for answers.

Allison recounts her journey to an ME/CFS diagnosis following an infection. She emphasizes the challenges of living with a chronic illness like CFS, the need to monitor symptoms, and the importance of finding a balance between self-care and pursuing fulfilling experiences.

Sam opens up about health challenges that disrupted her life as she knew it. She navigates uncharted waters, looking for answers and support, determined to find a diagnosis. As a Stanford swimmer, Sam is motivated to get back in the water, learn to manage her conditions, and share how her experience has changed her perspective on life.

Ally's story is a journey of self-discovery and adaptation. After contracting COVID-19, her life took a drastic turn as she struggled with lingering symptoms that eventually led to a diagnosis of POTS. Through her journey, Ally learned to let go of her long-term perfectionism and embrace a new way of life that accommodated her health needs. Despite the challenges, she continues to move forward, taking things one day at a time, and finding joy and fulfillment in the things she can do.

Christine Reed, author and adventurer, openly reflects on her journey- a beautiful one- that includes a POTS diagnosis, pushing through discomfort, and refusing to be held back from what she enjoys. Despite the diagnosis, she refused to let it define or confine her and continued to run and hike, using it as a means to feel better physically and mentally. Christine inspires others by sharing her story and prove that people with these conditions can achieve great things, and they get to choose their own measure for success and enjoyment in their own life.

Alex offers a candid and personal account of her health journey. She shares her experiences of navigating life changes, overcoming health challenges, and the growth and self-discovery that came with it. Alex's reflections provide insight into the transformative power of perseverance, as she demonstrates how her journey led to a newfound sense of pride and appreciation for her body, mind, and evolved spirit. Her story serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the positive outcomes that can come from adversity.

I want to take a moment to thank our generous partners for supporting and believing in the message of dysunderstood.

This is my journey to a diagnosis and a sense of relief. Long, but unfiltered and worth the read.

My firsthand experience with this debilitating condition ended my professional swimming career, set me on a path to pursue a new career as a physician, and has motivated me to bring awareness to those fighting invisible chronic illness and disability. And that is why I am here.