Since being diagnosed with EDS (Heds), I’ve found the greatest support
and education from others with the syndrome, via social media. In particular, I
joined Instagram for the first time and found that, to be the best medium of
social media for my needs. It's far easier for me to navigate Instagram and
interact on it and I find it far less negative than other social media
platforms. Facebook, for example, is a far more 'personal' platform and
affords unlimited access, to provide feedback, opinions and sadly, also,
negativity. I took great comfort, from joining many EDS support groups on
these platforms and following other individuals in a similar situation to
myself, sharing information and support - we're a community... right? Not that
easy, in practice though. We’re a community alright but it’s like a community
governed by a corrupt, twisted, uninformed, faceless entity, that constantly
contradicts itself, cannot agree on anything and consistently sets, members of
the community against each other. Whilst, I’m no expert on genetic conditions
(jeez, I’m not even an expert on my own and find most who claim they are, to be
misguided) and I, in no way claim EDS is the worst of conditions to exist in
the medical world but I’m honestly struggling to find any diagnosis as
potentially contentious and problematic as EDS!
The community is understandably, cautious, concerned and at times even
'cagey' - as I type this, I’ve literally just had to prove my diagnosis to a
social media group in order to be 'vetted' to join a social media page/group.
Now, I understand this caution but find it surprising and a shame, that 'we'
feel the need to do this. We seclude ourselves, in the community, in order to
protect our 'fragile' selves from non-believers, trolls, aloe vera and juice
plus pushers and anybody else who may potentially 'zapp' our already lacking
energy levels. Yet, how does this seclusion, aid raising awareness
outside of the community? If we seclude ourselves and cut off others who
differ, are we not ensuring we will always be and need to be secluded? Even
within our 'community' I find any difference of opinion, medical advice,
treatment path or lifestyle and even look, can alienate and sadly exclude, with
some people inevitably always comparing and finding fault. Why do we compare
ourselves? You may feel like a Zebra but what if I feel like a Donkey?
Can we still not reside within the one EDS community and support each
other, without comparison and the bitterness that will always follow such comparison?
Another member may look at me and think, 'she's got it easy, she can’t be
anywhere near as bad as me, looking like that', a none wheelchair user could
look at a wheelchair user and think 'sitting in a chair looks so much easier
than I have it, I wish I could get off my feet all day, every day and be
wheeled around'... both statements are ignorant, so why even compare? We know
nothing of what the other person experiences, other than, they experience
common ground with us, so why not concentrate on that and build on similarities,
cementing our community and allowing everyone to feel supported and
welcome?
I feel moved to type this today, after seeing the copious response and
understandable, yet misdirected and possibly misinformed backlash regarding the
much anticipated '2017 EDS Classification' aka 'nosology' and the crux of the
problem seems to be twofold. Firstly, part of the information has been
prematurely and very definitely, inappropriately 'leaked'. As its only part of
the whole, which is not due for release until next month, we can all assume,
standing alone, this information may lack context. However, the wide spread
anxiety, this can and has caused, was inevitable with such an unregulated
'leak'. No one involved would have wanted that leak and are not to blame.
The person who 'leaked' the document in the first instance, is responsible for
the situation, the 'community', now sadly finds itself in. Regardless, the
second part of the problem seems to be one, that would likely remain (to a
lesser degree) even when the whole document is released in March 2017. As we
all differ, all have different EDS symptoms, medical professionals, levels of
support, understanding etc, it was always inevitable, that some would not be
happy with this document. It’s impossible to cover everything and with the best
of intentions, all anyone can ever do, is their best, with the information
available to them, which sadly relies on statistics, medical data and more,
that can be flawed but you need a start point. Notwithstanding that, I fully
understand and can empathise with many who are now concerned about what they've
read. On the face of it, I personally, shouldn’t encounter too many
irresolvable problems, from this 'Classification', as I was already formally,
diagnosed with EDS and get copies of all my medical correspondence, so even if I
couldn’t access my medical records, I always have that written diagnosis and I don’t
believe that can or would be taken from me. I can however, empathise with those
who fear exactly that, as within the past month, my GP has tried to get my
Consultant, to 'reclassify' my EDS diagnosis to Hypermobility, citing, the
information contained within this very '2017 EDS Classification'. This
alone, worries me greatly and has caused me untold stress and reduced function.
Yet, neither my consultant, nor any other who wishes to retain their medical respect,
would ever be pressured into contradicting themselves and their expert medical
opinion. Yes, medical professionals (especially GP's) can be dismissive
and unhelpful but there is nothing in the leaked document, that leads me to
believe anyone with an EDS diagnosis would either lose it or have it amended to
a 'lesser' perceived condition. However, I do acknowledge the problem it could
(not would but could) present for those currently, in the process of being
diagnosed or to be diagnosed in the future and those concerns should be heard
with compassion, where abuse is lacking (no matter the distress, if people want
to be abusive or 'troll' they lose that right and respect, in my opinion). I don’t
dismiss, the stress and anxiety many now feel as this document was 'leaked'
without context. As a qualified Psychotherapist, I can assure all, this
reaction, is not only real but was completely anticipated, hence why such
documents are given a formal release date and how they are released is meticulously
planned and managed. Sadly, due to one individual, this didn’t happen on this occasion
but we cannot just blame anyone involved with the document, nor can we ignore
or eradicate, the positives that may come from this document and the hard work
that went into it. For one, from the limited information, I’ve viewed, today, I
find some comfort in this new 'classification', which, helps me both understand
and explain, that family members who may be hypermobile, have fibromyalgia or
have other elements, similar to myself, that there is tangible proof, that they
can have an element or issue that I suffer from, without fear of having EDS
like myself. Yes, of course we should still be vigilant for familial links etc
and always monitor children especially and make sure the whole family's medical
professionals are aware of the genetic condition being present, the new classification
does however, afford me a degree of perspective. I only speak for myself
here but there are positives already to be found from the 'classification' and
whilst some problems are inevitable, we truly do not know what they are yet.
Many, like me, may have panicked understandably but unnecessarily, whilst
the fears of others, are very real and justifiable and should not be mocked nor
insulted. I do not believe, if we had a more structured community and
understanding of EDS, medical evidence/information/support we would be in this
position. Once again, with this disease I feel this situation may be
unprecedented. This shouldn’t have happened but we are where we are.
There's a phrase I use, 'One person's mountain, is another person's molehill',
meaning basically, what is an insurmountable trauma/task for one, may be a
'walk in the park' for another person.
Our personal differences, should not allow us to lesser, those of
others. Today, I once again, saw our community 'turn' on each other and vent
inward, directed completely at the wrong person. No matter, your belief,
opinion or fear here, that one person, is a fellow EDS'er with all the problems
we all encounter (no matter what she looks like, or how big the smile, she no
doubt forces on, appears), stress etc will impact her health and we should all
be mindful of what we inflict, whilst trying to protect ourselves. We must hold
each other up and stand strong, together, as one herd, with many, many, many
different voices.
Today, isn’t the only time I’ve witnessed such a backlash, against
another EDS patient, whose mere crime was trying to raise awareness. I’ve been
uplifted this past year by the amount of programmes featuring EDS. From
'Coronation Street', to 'Grey's Anatomy', to 'DIY SOS' and 'Jeremy Kyle's
Emergency Room' - we 'Zebra's', are all over the TV right now, if you know
where to look. In the past 12 months alone, I feel that awareness like this, on
mainstream media, has probably increased, by around 100%. Whilst, we still need
far more awareness and no one show, or patient, is ever going to cover all
areas, surely we should, as a community, be applauding these patients and
shows? If not, what incentive do we give others to try? I, like they,
probably feared and anticipated a bit of backlash, from people who do not have
EDS and are ignorant to it but I never anticipated, nor I’m sure, did they, the
backlash they would feel and receive, from others with EDS. Yet, on every
occasion, I’ve witnessed the patient/actor getting abuse and trolled, for not
'doing enough', or not mentioning "EDS" enough or in the 'right way'.
Firstly, I’m sure were all aware of the fact the participants will not control
the 'edit'. Secondly, what is the 'right way'? Surely, we'd all offer the
information we possess, mainly about ourselves and some about the condition as
a whole and the other types or how others with our type may differ? I don’t
know about you, but I’m usually too exhausted, to explain how I feel and what's
happening with my health/body, so I applaud anyone who makes the effort to do
just that. To date, I’ve never met another person, exactly like me, with
or without EDS. None of us have the same stories, history or experience.
This diagnosis, won’t change that, so, don’t expect it.
I only speak for myself here and not for anyone else mentioned or
otherwise. I'm sure some will take issue and/misinterpret what I say - if
nothing more, please be content that it was written from my perspective alone
and with love. Be kind to yourselves, be kind to each other...