Asiah North

DYSAUTONOMIA AWARENESS MONTH 💙

Because October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month, I wanted to take the time to share my own experience and story to spread awareness and educate others about chronic illness.

Especially as a healthcare worker, someone who holds a science degree, a future paramedic, and someone who I’m sure has people in their life affected by some sort of chronic illness — I believe it’s important that we advocate for one another.

I’m sharing my experience not for sympathy, but to help raise awareness, challenge assumptions and encourage a little more understanding of people living with chronic illness.

Scroll through if you’d like, or don’t, you do you! 🤍

Our lives are so precious and fragile, and our health is something we can easily take for granted. It can change in a heartbeat.

Either way, never assume what is going on in someone else’s life. Check in on your family and friends.

#DysautonomiaAwarenessMonth #POTSAwareness #POTS #InvisibleIllness #chronicillnessawareness

PART 1: INVISIBLE ILLNESS

The start of my journey, and the road to understanding what was happening in my body, has been incredibly difficult.

I’ve had doctors tell me I’m healthy because my blood tests are normal, or that I can’t be seriously unwell because I’m too young. I’ve experienced feeling dismissed, and the self-doubt that comes with repeatedly trying to explain symptoms that aren’t always visible.

Eventually, you start to gaslight yourself.

As a people pleaser, I’ve had to learn to give myself grace while also fighting the urge to constantly justify why I’m sick. Why I need to rest. Why I have to cancel plans. Why I can’t always do the things I used to.

Because I can have good days and bad days.

Good days where I can work, study, skate, socialise and do the things I love.

And bad days where walking to the bathroom takes everything out of me, my heart rate jumps with minimal activity, and I spend the day in bed. I miss uni, cancel plans and use up work leave.

It’s lonely, especially in your 20s, when you’re supposed to be living life to the fullest.

It’s leaving parties early, turning down late-night outings, avoiding activities you know your body can’