Lupus Nephritis Inspired Marimee Toya Jules to Found the Village Tree Health Support Network

In her early 20s, Marimee (who goes by Toya) was diagnosed with lupus nephritis. This is a complication found in people with systemic lupus, in which lupus autoantibodies damage the kidneys, causing impaired function or even kidney failure. At first, Toya was horrified to discover she had this disease, being Read more…

Pancreatitis, Small Fiber Neuropathy, MCAS, Sjogren’s and More: Jo’s Health Journey So Far

In 2017, Jo began experiencing intense pain under her rib cage that traveled to her back, as if she was being impaled. She had complained of various pains throughout her life that doctors always brushed off, so at first she had no desire to seek professional help. But after two Read more…

Doctors Fractured Her Neck During Childbirth, Then Gaslit Her for Years

In 1998 Bella was severely injured during childbirth. Her doctor accidentally stepped on the pedal to raise the table she was strapped to during a C-section, causing her feet to raise and neck to lower. She immediately complained of extreme neck pain, but was sent home in a disassociated state Read more…

Chronic Headache and Pineal Gland Cyst, Weighing the Decision to Operate

Misty is a 43 year old massage therapist and artist with a complex medical history. Multiple motor vehicle accidents triggered a cycle of chronic pain, including a trauma induced lipoma in their low back that had to be surgically removed. Even with constant sharp pain in their right temple, their Read more…

Fighting Medical Gaslighting while Living with Chronic Illness

Aimée has been experiencing chronic pain and increasingly debilitating neurological symptoms throughout her life. She was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia at just 12 years old, at a time when that diagnosis carried little to no actionable recourse and significant stigma. Due to a lack of helpful doctors in the face Read more…

Registered Nurse on Navigating Healthcare System for Pain Patients

Many people with chronic pain, undiagnosed disease or invisible illness run into constant barriers when seeking medical care. Doctors often don’t take their symptoms seriously, or assume nothing is wrong when they can’t immediately pinpoint a cause. For people dealing with dynamic illness, understanding the medical system well enough to Read more…