My journey with chronic illness started in my teens. Back when I was just 13, I began having issues with my heart and was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, as well as scoliosis. That was the beginning of a long road of living with chronic pain and navigating life with a body that didn’t always cooperate. At 21, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease following emergency surgery. Since then, I’ve been on biological infusions to keep it at bay alongside countless hospital admissions. More recently, I’ve also been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that brings its own set of challenges.

I didn’t start university until I was 24, studying Forensic Biology - juggling lectures, labs, and heart surgery during my degree. Living with chronic illness from a young age has meant facing a lot of extra hurdles - managing health, study, work, and life all at once, often without the support or understanding that’s needed (after all, I don't look ill, right?). These experiences have shaped me, but they’ve also motivated me. I’m now studying for a Master’s in Biomedical Science, with a focus on immunology and genetics, because I want to be part of creating better outcomes and more compassionate systems. This space is here to offer the kind of support I’ve often needed myself - somewhere people with chronic illness, even young people, can feel seen, understood, and never alone.