arielaaviva
Vulnerability and COVID
I recently wrote a piece for Mighty Well about Independence Day. In it, I wondered how to celebrate “independence” when it seems that...
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arielaaviva
Jul 28, 20199 min read
Privilege and Intersectionality as a Patient
First of all, anyone who bristles at the word “privilege” -- you’re not alone! I had a really tough time understanding different types...
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arielaaviva
Mar 31, 20193 min read
If only it were just the flu
Jon Rodis, an activist with Marfan Syndrome, presented at the EDS conference in Baltimore about the challenges of getting on disability....
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arielaaviva
Mar 18, 20192 min read
Finding my voice
**Note: more detailed stories from this year's Spoonie Retreat will come as soon as I have the time, energy, and head space. But for...
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arielaaviva
Jan 29, 20194 min read
Anxiety and EDS
The Ehlers-Danlos Society is trying to address this issue. They recently created this toolbox that I recommend you check out! At the...
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arielaaviva
Jan 8, 20195 min read
Importance of a good attitude
I described a lot of types of pain in my last post. I’ve been thinking lately about how attitude can impact our perception of pain. Take...
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arielaaviva
Jan 2, 20198 min read
"Whatever you are, be a good one" -- William Makepeace Thackeray
I wrote last year that I don't do typical New Years resolutions, but rather use it as a chance to reflect on who I've been and who I'd...
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arielaaviva
Dec 5, 201810 min read
Gratitude Month
Happy December everyone! As I mentioned previously, November sucks. But a friend challenged me to turn it into a month of gratitude, and...
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arielaaviva
Nov 1, 20184 min read
The Power of Lists
I will (hopefully soon) be sharing a "tips and tricks" post about living with chronic illness, in which I've written that making lists...
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arielaaviva
Nov 1, 20185 min read
Trying to make conversation
I was talking to someone last week who has a young son. She said it’s difficult to find anything else to talk about, because he’s such a...
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arielaaviva
Oct 1, 20184 min read
How can I not feel anxious?
*Serious CW for sexual violence and overall distress over the state of the world* Two years ago, I was driving to my friend’s house. I...
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arielaaviva
Aug 12, 20183 min read
Reflections from a failed afternoon
We wanted to go for a hike today. I LOVE hikes, and they are currently the only way for me to get any cardio. I can move slowly, being...
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arielaaviva
Aug 11, 20184 min read
Redefining my fashion sense
I recently read Surviving and Thriving With Invisible Chronic Invisible Illness by Ilana Jacqueline. It's a great (and easy) read, and I...
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arielaaviva
Jun 19, 20185 min read
My deteriorating need for credible sources
I recently had a pleasant conversation with someone about CBD oil that quickly escalated into an ugly debate. The reason? I was still...
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arielaaviva
Jun 10, 20188 min read
Speaking of closets...
Finding a comfortable label in today's queer alphabet soup Having just written a piece coming out about body image issues, and it being...
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arielaaviva
Jun 10, 201810 min read
Closeted body image issues
Surrendering to doctor-approved weight gain after years of a strained relationship with food **Note: this post is about my struggles...
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arielaaviva
May 27, 20181 min read
Meta-post: length and complexity
Sometimes I reread what I've written and think "why would anyone read something this long and complicated? It's exhausting." I then try...
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arielaaviva
May 17, 20183 min read
Welcoming Grief
I never realized how much loss is involved in being sick I wrote last month about the documentary Unrest. If you still haven't seen it,...
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arielaaviva
May 11, 20186 min read
Infertility stories from my readers!
**CW: reassignment surgery, miscarriage and complex fertility complications I was humbled yet again by the people who reached out to me...
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arielaaviva
Apr 28, 20183 min read
Meta-post: to share or not to share?
How to choose which topics I'm comfortable going public with (or not) Hi world! Sometimes it feels exciting to be reaching so many...
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