Real Talk

Real Talk

We Need to Talk About Ableism and COVID-19

The issues that disabled and chronic condition communities face as a result of the pandemic are being ignored too easily.

Real Talk

My Journey to Becoming a Chronic Illness Advocate on Social Media

Writer Nia G. discusses her journey to becoming a social media advocate after her chronic illness diagnoses.

Real Talk

What the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for the Chronically Ill and Disabled Communities

The court’s decision affects all Americans, but disabled, chronically ill, and disadvantaged people will be disproportionately affected. They face healthcare inequities, poverty, and more.

Real Talk

I’m Not a Liar or a Victim. Talking About Your IBD Doesn’t Mean You’re Simply Seeking Attention or Pity

Learning to talk confidently about your IBD can lead to greater acceptance of your diagnosis and a stronger sense of personal identity.

Real Talk

What I’ve Learned About Self-Advocacy When Living with a Chronic Condition

When living with a chronic condition or disability, finding and using your voice is a must.

Real Talk

What It’s Like Being Chronically Ill in the Time of Wellness

Unsolicited medical advice is exhausting — and sometimes even plain rude. The wellness industry needs to wake up to the realities of living with a chronic illness.

Real Talk

When Doing My Best to Manage My IBD Feels Like It’s Not Enough

The medical system reinforces the language of defeat. It's time for that to change.

Real Talk

I Have a Chronic Condition. Here’s Why I Hate New Year’s Resolutions

The unpredictability of living with a chronic condition can make it hard to stick with your plans. One writer shares why this year, she's saving herself the pressure and avoiding unrealistic resolutions.

Real Talk

8 Celebrities Living With Crohn’s Disease

More than half a million people in the United States live with Crohn’s, including some of the most well-known celebrities. Here’s how they manage the disease.

Real Talk

How I’ve Coped with Chronic Illness Throwing My Life Plans Out of Orbit

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition, like MS, can throw your life plans off course. Grieving the losses and finding ways to move forward is a process.

Real Talk

How I Balance Advocacy and Privacy Living with a Chronic Condition

Some days, sharing about my life with MS feels useful and authentic. Other times, I'd rather keep the details to myself.

Real Talk

Living with Undiagnosed Chronic Pain Is Hard, But Please Don’t Give Up

When you live with undiagnosed pain, self-advocacy, hope, and resilience are key.

Real Talk

IBD Re-Triggered My Disordered Eating, but I’m Taking Back Control

Living with inflammatory bowel disease makes it tough to have a positive relationship with food. This can be a slippery slope for someone with a history of disordered eating.

Real Talk

Medical Burnout in People with Chronic Conditions Is Real — Here’s How to Cope

It’s important to address burnout as soon as possible to keep yourself healthy and happy.

Real Talk

9 Ways Acute Illness Is Thought Of Differently Than Chronic Illness 

Living with chronic illness has made me aware of the many ways that society views chronic illness differently than they view acute illness.

Real Talk

How Living with Chronic Illness Has Helped Improve My Relationship with My Body

Whether you live with a chronic illness or not, living in a body is a complex experience.

Real Talk

How the Stress of Living in a Racist World Is Harming Black People with IBD

Our issues range from trigger foods to trigger news, and there's no prescription to alleviate the pain that often follows.

Real Talk

This Is What It’s Like Being Young and Housebound After Multiple Surgeries for IBD

I never imagined the surgeries that were meant to give me more freedom would leave me housebound and lonely. If you can relate, just know you aren't alone.

Real Talk

Your Productivity Doesn’t Determine Your Worth. Here’s How to Let That Sink In

Despite what our culture may lead you to believe, you are so much more than a to-do list.

Real Talk

8 Tips for Navigating Difficult Times That I’ve Learned from Living With a Chronic Illness

There's tremendous wisdom to be gained from the experience of living with a chronic condition.

Real Talk

Why I Advocate: Grant’s IBD Story

Having support from people who understand is key.

Real Talk

Why I’m Striving to Change the Healthcare Experience for People of Color with IBD

After my long road to receiving a Crohn's disease diagnosis, I learned that race and implicit bias are huge factors in delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of Black and brown people with digestive diseases.

Real Talk

How to Cope When the World Seems to Have Moved on from COVID-19

As public concern over COVID-19 wanes, many people who are immunocompromised are feeling left behind. Here are six tips for caring for your body and your mind during this time.

Real Talk

On World IBD Day, These 4 Advocacy Projects Will Directly Affect People with Crohn’s and UC

World IBD Day is a chance to raise awareness of the challenges people face with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. It's also a time when we can publicly advocate for better legislation and improved care.

Real Talk

The Importance of Setting Boundaries When You’re Living with a Chronic Condition — and How to Get Started

Your energy is too precious to be wasted on plans and activities that don't serve your health.

Real Talk

Don’t Have the Energy for Zoom Happy Hours Right Now? Me Neither, and That’s OK

It can be hard to ignore internet pressure to have a “productive pandemic.”

Real Talk

Working from Bed Isn’t Lazy — It’s Accessible

As a disabled person, working from bed makes it possible for me to have a job.

Real Talk

5 Lessons from the Pandemic That Promote Inclusivity

We can continue to learn from the pandemic and encourage inclusivity in our everyday practices.

Real Talk

Medical Gaslighting Is Real, and It May Have Happened to You

A patient’s word should be believed. You shouldn't need to fight to advocate for your health when you're feeling your worst.

Real Talk

How My Crohn’s Diagnosis Taught Me Who My Friends Are

Chronic disease can take a toll on friendships. Here's how I discovered which friendships were worth fighting for.

Real Talk

What I Learned About Chronic Illness Coaches While Seeking Support for a New Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease left me feeling overwhelmed and alone. It was challenging to find the social and emotional support I needed.

Real Talk

Ableist Language in Pop Culture and How It Affects People with Chronic Illness

Ableism and ableist language are all too common, especially in pop culture. Learn how to recognize this language and ways to be more mindful of the words you choose.

Real Talk

IBD Messed with My Body Image

After some difficult struggles, I've found my way back to a healthy relationship with my body. Here's how.

Real Talk

Don’t Take Away My Methotrexate! How Roe v. Wade Has Changed Vital Medication Access

Overturning Roe v. Wade has far-reaching consequences for many communities — including access to needed medication like methotrexate.

Real Talk

How Chronic Illness Affects More Than Just Your Physical Health

The nonphysical effects of living with a chronic condition are often ignored or underestimated. We need to change that. These are nine ways that living with a chronic condition has affected my life and strategies I've found to help me cope.

Real Talk

Am I Oversharing? 8 Tips for Navigating Social Media with a Chronic Illness

There are no perfect answers for how much to share and how much to hold back, but there are guidelines that might help you determine the right approach for you.

Real Talk

Recognizing Signs of Medical Trauma When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Medical trauma is real but sometimes it can be hard to recognize. If you live with a chronic condition it is especially important to be aware of how traumatic medical scenarios can have lasting effects. If you have experienced medical trauma, it is important to know you are not alone.

Real Talk

The Way We Treat the Undiagnosed Needs to Change

Being undiagnosed is an under-acknowledged stage of living with chronic physical or mental symptoms.

Real Talk

Does Knowing Why You Got Sick Matter?

I have my theories about why I developed IBD, but I may never know the truth.

Real Talk

When the Invisible Becomes Visible

When I could no longer hide the symptoms of my Crohn's disease from others, it forced me to become more authentic.

Real Talk

Understanding Grief When It Comes to Your Chronic Condition or Disability

Having a chronic condition or disability can mean living without a lot of things. It’s important to talk about this grief and find ways to cope.

Real Talk

Talking with Friends About Money Can Be Awkward When Your Condition Limits How Much You Work

Being asked to chip in for food or gifts can be stressful, especially if a chronic illness restricts the hours you can work. These tips can help navigate awkward conversations with friends.

Real Talk

How to Rebuild Trust with Doctors After a Misdiagnosis

When it comes to living with a chronic condition, the doctor-patient relationship will be one of the most important connections you ever build.

Real Talk

How I Learned to Release Shame and Embrace the Freedom of Adult Diapers for IBD

I am grateful to have a tool that gives me some much-needed freedom during bad ulcerative colitis flare-ups.

Real Talk

5 Things to Do When You’re Feeling Defeated by Inflammatory Bowel Disease

When you live with IBD, it can feel like all your energy is going into figuring out the treatment, diet plan, and lifestyle changes that work for you. If you feel like giving up, these practices may help.

Real Talk

How I’m Making Peace with the Never-Ending Pandemic

Those of us living with a chronic condition are used to navigating an unknown future.

Real Talk

A Flare Does Not Mean You’ve Done Something “Wrong”

When you live with chronic pain, you can’t stop the weather, but you can learn to adjust your sails.

Real Talk

How Fatigue Changed My Mindset as a Disability Activist

Hustle culture and the pandemic made me hit a breaking point. I was exhausted, but being an activist made me want to fight on. Now, I live by a different mantra.