Why the technicolor zebra?

 Follow me on Instagram @the.technicolor.zebra!

Many individuals in the advocacy community utilize a handle that represents their disease while simultaneously being a fun hashtag or handle to use to tag them.  As I began sharing my journey to health a year ago, I've been spending time trying to assess what my handle should be that would accurately represent my journey.

For me, that is @the.technicolor.zebra!  Ehler's Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue disease that is represented by a zebra.  The colors of my zebra's stripes represent the myriad of diagnoses that I have been given since I went into the hospital a little over a year ago.

Ehler's Danlos Syndrome has triggered a lot of my other issues.  My dysautonomia(blue), gastroparesis(green), hiatal hernia, regular hip and shoulder subluxations(zebra stripes-Ehler's Danlos), mast cell activation syndrome(pink and purple), trigeminal neuralgia(also teal/turquoise depending on who you ask), and chronic migraine(red and purple).  Each of these diagnoses have been a journey of its' own.  Additionally, learning how to function beyond the diagnoses is a critical part of obtaining appropriate accommodations and continuing to find fulfillment in my work.  Finally, there are so many self-care measures to consider to maintain well-being.

For me, at the end of the day, I'm grateful for incredible coworkers, herculean family, and wonderful friends who come together to support me every day and help me to reach all of my goals!  As I re-launch today, I need to give shout-outs to my parents, fiance, brother, and friends!  Thanks for all the support and love you give me!

Wishing You Wellness,

Katie Pearson

@the.technicolor.zebra

Disability Accommodations Advocate

the.technicolor.zebra@gmail.com

*The new custom picture on the site was made by a great artist and friend Bailey Nicole!