My name is Kassady Oberacker-Bailey. The diagnoses that affect me the most are Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – hypermobile type, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Gastroparesis, Bronchiectasis, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, ADHD, and C-PTSD. …
I am Lisa McNerney. I am a mom to two kids, and they are my number one job. My youngest is special needs and I spend a lot of time advocating for him. …
Hi, my name is Audrey. I am a photographer and business owner in Northville, Michigan. I have been diagnosed with Vestibular Migraine, which is a neurological disease that causes vertigo. Most think of …
Hi! My name is Casey. I’m a therapist, a Lions fan, and a fiancé! After years of chronic migraines throughout high school, we finally found the root cause right before I went to college—POTS. …
Hi, I’m Ilana — a mom, licensed esthetician, and small business owner. By day, I’m helping clients glow from the outside in, and by… well, every other moment, I’m managing life with a …
My name is Kimberly Dimond. I live in Traverse City and have been diagnosed with lupus for almost 20 years. I am also Executive Director of the Michigan Lupus Foundation. Lupus is a …
Hello! My name is Madalena Hanthorn. There are so many ways to describe me: mom, wife, Air Force veteran, breast cancer survivor, dragon boat paddler and coach, Life as a Zebra Foundation treasurer. …
As a creative momma, partner, graduate student, educator, colleague, (and what feels like an often absent) daughter, sister and friend with multiple chronic illnesses, life is…busy. It didn’t feel quite busy enough, so …
Hello! My name is Lauren, and I am 21 years old. I am currently a senior undergraduate psychology student, and I am starting my MSW at University of Michigan in the fall! At …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Each month, we will shine the spotlight on an inspirational “zebra,” who helps bring visibility to invisible illnesses.
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 …
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 …