“Hi I’m Rachel,@rachcutiepie, I’m 17 years old, and I have (get ready): Crohn’s Disease, Juvenile Ideopathic Arthritis, Uveitis, Osteoporosis, POTS, Adrenal Insufficiency, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (as well as anxiety, depression, and ADHD; because, I mean…. that’s a LOT to deal with…). I was diagnosed with JIA at 18 months old, and Crohns at 3. I had exhausted every medication for my IBD, to be honest I don’t remember much other than constant procedures I hated, and the nurses/child life who became my only best friends.
I got my ileostomy when I was 9 and that’s when I really started to be able to live life. I started growing and I could attend school!! But my chronic illnesses really never went away. I got maybe 2 years of bliss… but my arthritis eventually took over, and I have since developed the POTS, AI, CFS and Osteoporosis. I couldn’t walk from my arthritis. It was horrible. Long story short – its all been a snowball effect of trying to treat one thing and gaining another ever since.
But, I have found things I love and different adaptable ways to do everyday tasks. In my journey I have found out….. there’s always a way (even if it sucks a little). Did you know “Scientists say the odds of you being born are at least 1 in 400 trillion”? So amidst all the madness of chronic illness, there’s a reason you were put here on earth. Just take it one day at a time!!! You got this.”
