July 2026 Zebra Spotlight: Whitney Olsen
Hello! My name is Whitney! I’m a recent addition to the zebra community. I was not able to put together the symptoms I experienced until a couple of years ago. I was receiving
Hi, my name is Cameron Morell, I am 16 years old and going into my junior year of high school. I play soccer and I love music, fashion, sports, and my people. I
My name is Hillary Lee. I’m a wife, a mom of two, and a business owner. I was first diagnosed at the age of 13, and over the years my journey has expanded
Ciao from Lisa Gigliotti! I received my initiation into the zebra herd via the neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis. In undergrad I had been diagnosed with a serious case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) made
My name is Scott Besemer. I was born in 1968 and grew up in Holland, Michigan. After my freshman year of high school, my family moved to Spring Lake, where I graduated. After
I am Lori Newcomb, a mother of a very busy three-year-old. Shortly after I turned thirty, I moved to a colder climate, which triggered many symptoms and issues in my body that were
Hello! I’m Breanna O’Keefe, but most people call me Bre. I wear many hats—mom of six, wife, physician, coach, teammate, and board member for both Life as a Zebra and the University of
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
Each month, we will shine the spotlight on an inspirational “zebra,” who helps bring visibility to invisible illnesses.
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
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