Hi! My name is Phil, and I’m from Michigan, living in the greater Lansing area where I grew up, went to school, established my career, and where I currently work and enjoy my …
February 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Raven Slaght
Hello, my name is Raven Slaght and I am honored to be recognized for February’s Zebra Spotlight. I am a 30-something year old wife and stay at home mama to three beautiful, wild, …
January 2025 Zebra Spotlight: Jenn Jones
My name is Jenn Jones (aka, mom, mommy, Jams, JJ, goto and sometimes hey you- I answer to all). I’m an almost 50-year-old introverted, single mother to an always enthusiastic, extroverted 8-year-old daughter …
December 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Mark Ferrin
Hello, I’m Mark Ferrin. I’m a zebra and I’m also an alcoholic who has been alcohol free for over 18 years. I’ve spent most of my life doing structural maintenance…warehouses, manufacturing, and shipping …
November 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Laurie Dama
My name is Laurie Dama, and yes, I am related to Katie and Allie – they are two of my many beloved nieces and nephews. I am 59 years old, I work in …
October 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Katie Smith
My name is Katie Smith, and I am known as Capital City Wonder Woman, but behind the tiara I am so much more. I am a 38-year-old mom of 4 bio kids, and …
September 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Christie Hanchey
My name is Christie Lynn Hanchey. Before EDS became a part of every minute of every day that I am awake, I was a disc jockey on the number one morning show in …
August 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Lara Alspaugh
My name is Lara Alspaugh, and I am a fifty-two-year-old wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and writer. I am a fitness enthusiast, a health nut who also loves a good lemon drop …
July 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Corinne Woodland
Hello, my name is Corinne Woodland. Whereas I have a basket full of chronic illnesses, the one at the root of most of them is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hypermobility type. I was …
June 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Sara Sullivan
As one of the faces of Scleroderma, I am Sara Sullivan. My journey has been marked by unforeseen trials that have tested my strength and resilience. My diseases have caused me pain and …
May 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Elizabeth Alden Vacha Bogan
My name is Elizabeth Alden Vacha Bogan. I never thought one disease, three letters, EDS, would change my life so much, but it seems fitting to have 3 last names at 44. I was adopted and we …
April 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Theresa Navalta
My name is Theresa Navalta, and I am honored to be chosen to share my story. I don’t usually talk about my illnesses, but I do know that when my story began, I …
March 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Sue Larson
Hello everyone! My name is Sue Larson, and I am very honored to be asked to share my story as a zebra in the hopes that someone else can relate to my experience …
February 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Frank Provo
Hello all you happy people! My name is Frank Provo, and I am a Certified Public Accountant working in the insurance industry. I consider myself lucky to have an employer that is flexible …
January 2024 Zebra Spotlight: Crystal Bradley
Hi! My name is Crystal Bradley, and I am a regulatory chemist by trade, although I am on medical leave currently. I love all things science, particularly the natural aspects! I love the …
December 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Allison
Hi! My name is Allison. I’m a Medical Laboratory Scientist. I enjoy cooking, all things Harry Potter and spending time with my family. 5 Invisible Symptoms 4 Things That Help Manage My Pain …
November 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Marie Sander
Hi! My name is Marie. I’m a wife, auntie, and preschool teacher from New York. I’m also a disabled athlete. I started dancing at age 10 and running at age 24. A few days after running a half …
October 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Tara Curtin
Hi! I am Tara Curtin, and I am a wife, a mother to two amazing girls (and lots of pets), daughter, sister, friend, caregiver, Zebra, and so much more. It took many years …
September 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Janie Cavanagh
Hi everyone, my name is Janie Cavanagh and due to a major car accident in 1996, I live with chronic neck and head pain. Due to my prolonged healing process and the delay …
August 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Jeweliet Donley
Hey! My name is Jeweliet Donley. I’m 19, and for the past year, I’ve been on a hunt to learn my way around the diagnosis of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). My life has changed …
July 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Ashley Mann
My name is Ashley Mann. I am a stay-at-home dog and cat momma in Lansing, Michigan. Over the last few years, I’ve embarked on an ongoing journey of self-discovery, seeking personal growth and …
June 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Kirbay Preuss
My name is Kirbay Preuss. I am a full-time manager at my family’s business, Preuss Pets. I teach yoga, and I’m a mom to a 160lb Great Dane and a 17-month-old little bundle …
May 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Stephanie Kronberg
My name is Stephanie Kronberg. I’m a wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, part time preschool teacher, and now a ZEBRA. I could go on and on about all of my roles but what …
Get Healthy Now 5K
It has become a tradition that Life as a Zebra Foundation partners with Antioch Cares each year for a 5K run/walk in June. The goal for the race is to raise funds to …
Zebra Zooms & Y-PIF Award
Life as a Zebra Foundation’s youngest supporters, Isabelle Wynn and Zoe Ziegler, have organized two Zebra Zoom 5k’s, which have raised over $2,000 for Life as a Zebra Foundation. The Foundation is so …
LAAZF Meets With Congressional Leaders
On July 22-23, 2014, Life as a Zebra Foundation Co-Founders, Katie Dama-Jaskolski, Allie Affandy, board member, Angela Morris, and Mike O’Brien met with congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. to discuss the prevalence of …
Michigan Invisible Illness Awareness Weeks
For five years, Life as a Zebra Foundation has spearheaded the adoption of Invisible Illness Awareness week in Michigan during the last full week in May. The Michigan Senate and House of Representatives …
Life as a Zebra Foundation Benefit Concerts
Life as a Zebra Foundation has hosted five benefit concerts to date to raise money to directly support the groundbreaking research on POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) being led by Dr. Blair Grubb …
Zebra Day and The Kind is Cool Campaign
Several years ago, Life as a Zebra Foundation started an annual event called Zebra Day. For this event we partner with inspiring speakers and go into elementary and middle schools to share the …
The Power of Social Media When You Are Chronically Ill, (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
I spend a lot of time on Facebook. A. Lot. In fact, thinking of not having Facebook makes my hands sweat and gives me a knot in my stomach. I have been thinking …
Why I Have Back-to-School Depression as a Chronically Ill Teacher (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
As I sit here in the infusion center, on back-to-school eve, I feel a mix of emotions. Hopeful, excited, scared and even a bit depressed to see summer go. Yes, I love summer. …
An Ode to My Thighs: Thank You for Helping Me Through Chronic Illness, (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
To my lovely thighs: When I started gymnastics, I quickly realized I was one of the gymnasts with “the big thighs.” I grew to hate you. Through elementary school, through middle and high school and …
11 Pieces of Advice for Caretakers Helping People With Illnesses, (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
Caretakers, in my opinion, are unsung heroes. Often it is the person who is sick that receives the caring phone calls, messages, care packages, etc. My caretakers are the ones who have been …
10 Strategies to Help You Feel Beautiful When You’re Chronically Ill (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
Let’s face it. It’s hard to feel attractive in your own skin when you feel like your body is turning on you. If I am sick, I struggle with feeling beautiful in my …
April 2023 Zebra Spotlight: Bill Hoffmeyer
Each month, we will shine the spotlight on an inspirational “zebra,” who helps bring visibility to invisible illnesses.
What Does Sick Look Like? (Written by Katie Dama-Jaskolski, President & Co-Founder)
This post is not meant to offend anyone. But it is something that I constantly experience on a day to day basis. I know in my heart people mean well. And that they …
Anger to Appreciation (Written by Allie Affandy, Co-Founder & Vice President)
For as long as I can remember, I have been angry with my body for one reason or another. As a gymnast for 19 years, one might imagine the body image issues I …