Sharing Sunday #18-A Chronic Illness Link Up

Welcome to Sharing Sunday #18!

This has been a super busy month at The Zippy with the launch of E.D.S. Awareness month.

The T-shirts we created to spread awareness are ready, are affordable and can be shipped straight to you.  NO waiting for a minimum.

You can find the link here.

We have also been sharing one E.D.S. Story a Day in our “Real Life Stories” Series.

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One Woman’s Rise Above E.D.S.

One Woman’s Rise Above E.D.S.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.  Three ugly little words that changed my life, took everything from me, erased years of work and struggle, took away my identity.  Three words that gave me a new life, new purpose, a new appreciation for every day.

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Sharing Sunday #16

This has been a super busy week at The Zippy with the launch of E.D.S. Awareness month.

The T-shirts we created to spread awareness are ready, are affordable and can be shipped straight to you.  NO waiting for a minimum.

You can find the link here.

We have also been sharing one E.D.S. Story a Day in our “Real Life Stories” Series.

We would love to have you share YOUR story as well.   Details on how and what we are looking for are found on our submissions page. 

Anyone submitting their story by midnight CST May 10th will be entered in the drawing for an “Ask Me About E.D.S.” T-shirt.   All stories will be printed but the T-shirt winner will be announced May 11th.

Our goal is to continue sharing at least one E.D.S. story daily as we do our part to spread awareness and how it truly affects each and every on of us.

“Sharing Sunday” Link-up is available EVERY Sunday for blogs featuring articles that will help those with a chronic illness.

This linkup is not only for the chronically ill but for everyone that has a personal story, that offers help (allergen-free recipes and ideas), adaptation ideas, testimonials or anything that would be helpful or encouraging to others, (even sharing a day in your life).

The idea of the “Get The Word Out” link-up is to spread the word about our illnesses, adaptations, short-cuts, tools, articles, stories, recipes, income earning ideas, etc… and to support each other during this sometimes, lonely journey.

Bloggers struggling with pain and challenges can visit other sites, while non-bloggers can find others like them and follow along in addition to finding recipes, tips and adaptations that may help.

I LOVE fun, crafty, anything goes linkups but the “Sharing Sunday” Link-up is not one of those.

We will have a few guidelines to keep the links useful and uplifting to our readers.

Bloggers before linking up please follow our guidelines found here.

[inlinkz_linkup id=619618 mode=1]

Sharing Sunday #5

“Sharing Sunday” Link-up will be available EVERY Sunday  for blogs featuring articles that will help those with a chronic illness.

This linkup is not only for the chronically ill but for everyone that has a personal story, that offers help (allergen-free recipes and ideas), adaptation ideas, testimonials or anything that would be helpful or encouraging to others, (even sharing a day in your life).

The idea of the “Get The Word Out” link-up is to spread the word about our illnesses, adaptations, short-cuts, tools, articles, stories, recipes, income earning ideas, etc… and to support each other during this sometimes lonely journey.

Bloggers struggling with pain and challenges can visit other sites, while non-bloggers can find others like them and follow along in addition to  finding recipes, tips and adaptations that may help.

I LOVE fun crafty,  anything goes linkups but the “Sharing Sunday” Link-up is not one of those.

We will have a few guidelines to keep the links useful and uplifting to our readers.

Bloggers before linking up please follow our guidelines found here.

[inlinkz_linkup id=594852 mode=1]

Get the Word Out Wednesday Link Up #11

I happy to say that it has been a fairly good week here at The Zippy Zebra.  I shared the first part of my personal story including a childhood with undiagnosed EDS yesterday and will be sharing the adult years and diagnosis later.

My work with a great group of individuals implementing a EDS Awareness campaign has been fruitful and exciting.   I simply CANNOT wait to get it started.

Other news

 We havea Pinterest page at The Zippy Zebra.  Want to follow us?  https://www.pinterest.com/thezippyzebra/  It is still in the baby stages but we would love to have you join us there.

We are still accepting stories for the “Real Life series”.  Find the details on how to participate here.

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The Early Years- “When EDS Was Still Fun”

Hi!  I am a married Zebra mom with two (diagnosed) Zebra teen girls and one teenage son.

Why do I refer to us as zebras?   You can find those details here.

The accessories at our house tend to come from a brace catalog, more than Glamour magazine, but the good news is… we match!  I am currently involved with two blogs, spreading EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) Awareness, making crafts, homeschooling my youngest daughter and various volunteer activities in my town.  I had not planned on sharing my story when I began this blog, but after multiple requests for my story, I felt I should share it here and make it accessible to everyone.  To me, my story is boring and uninspiring, so I keep sliding it to the bottom of my stack, but here goes….for all those who have asked.

My Story:

Part 1 –The early years with undiagnosed EDS; when being bendy was fun.

I had a fairly normal childhood, with accidents and illnesses.  I was sick more than any kid I knew, and it seemed to always be due to allergies or sore throats.  I was constantly on an antibiotic or home sick.  I was accused of being anorexic, anemic, bulimic and anything else that had been thought of in the 70’s and 80’s, but every test was negative.

I can actually remember my age or where we lived based on the illnesses and injuries I experienced.   Who, besides an EDS patient, does that?

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Get the Word Out Wednesday Link Up #9

Thank you for stopping by and please be sure to tell everyone you know (bloggers and readers) about the opportunity to spread the word.

Great news!  We have started a Pinterest page at The Zippy Zebra.  Want to follow us?  https://www.pinterest.com/thezippyzebra/  It is still in the baby stages but we would love to have you join us there.

It has been a full week in this zebra’s life with the debut of a local play, out of town guests including a beautiful little baby and now a round of some very nasty flu.  But the weather is beautiful so things are looking up.

 Book Giveaway:  Click here to check out our book giveaway (The first in a paranormal series) and receive a link to the 2nd in the series (FREE).

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Karen’s Inspiring Story Part 2-Life With Marfan’s

Karen’s Inspiring Story

Life With Marfan’s

Part 2

I was so very appreciative that I finally got to experience it.  Tree branches were no longer just green colored arms sticking out of a tree; they were suddenly branches that had beautiful vibrant individual green leaves on them.  Flowering plants weren’t just a blob of color anymore; they were a beautiful living creation from God, with their own blooms and leaves, and little bugs that crawl on their petals.

Want know what Karen is referring to?  Read the beginning of Karen’s story here.

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Real Life Story #5- Rikard’s Life With Marfan Syndrome

Rikard’s Life With Marfan Syndrome

My name is Rikard and I have Marfans Syndrome.  Despite that, I consider myself quite fortunate in my situation.  I am 24 years old.  I study to become a lawyer and go to regular doctor check-ups, both of which are free.  (I’m a Swede living in Sweden.)  I exercise several times a week, maintain a healthy diet and generally manage the complications from my diagnosis.  If all else fails, I have friends and family who look out for me and know about the symptoms of my disease and side-effects of my medication.  All in all, I suppose I am quite lucky.  Unfortunately my father wasn’t. Read more »

Real Life Stories #4-Awaiting Diagnosis Marfan Syndrome

Awaiting Diagnosis

Hi!  My name is Rachel.

I am 14 and a freshman in high school.

I enjoy designing clothes, reading books, hanging out with friends and watching movies.  I like creating stories and drawing.

I have been diagnosed with severe scoliosis, flat feet, severe vision issues, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 3, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.

I am currently awaiting gene testing results for Marfan Syndrome. Read more »