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 various hobbies and passions. I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome at the age of 13, along with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Delta Granule Storage Pool Deficiency, Dysautonomia, Gastroparesis, as well as Osteopenia. In addition, I manage anxiety and depression which I was diagnosed with later, although I have experienced the symptoms of these conditions since my early teen years as well. While this information is first and foremost in this piece given contextual relevance, these conditions and diagnoses do not define me, nor have they prevented me from living a vibrant and fulfilling life. Instead, I define myself by the life I live and contributions I make to both life and the world around me.
With a bachelor’s degree in professional communication, my career has primarily consisted of a diverse blend of both academic and corporate education, training, communication, marketing, and design. Whether salaried or freelance, my work has been environmentally versatile taking place in remote, in-person and blended settings. Although I find great enjoyment and purpose in my career, I also pursue my passions in art, creativity, health, and wellness, which I feel all go hand in hand.
I have been tap dancing for well over 20 years and have training in Jazz, Ballet, and Acting, which are all skills that I exercise when I partake in musical theater productions. I also engage with the arts through my position on the board of directors of a local non-profit community theater organization. I am a certified dance fitness instructor, and love to both teach and take dance fitness classes. Lastly, I also find solace and respite in playing my guitar, painting, and on occasion, I enjoy a video game.
5 Invisible Symptoms
- Chronic Pain.
- Fatigue and “brain fog.”
- Subluxation of joints.
- Gastrointestinal distress.
- Heart palpitations.
4 Things That Help Me Manage Pain
Early on in treating my conditions, I was focused on figuring out what medications would fix my symptoms. However, in my experience not every medication works as expected, and medications are not the cornerstone of managing my conditions. While the right medications can greatly aid in living a better life, in my experience, the cornerstone is taking my physical and mental health into my own hands, by crafting a holistic approach to tackling symptoms. Medications are just one facet of effective treatment. 4 strategies other than medication that I find benefit me include:
- Appropriate exercise and diet.
- Mindfulness and meditation.
- Therapy, both physical and psychological.
- Effective sleep hygiene.
3 Ways My Life Has Changed
- My conditions and associated complications have changed my life by granting me the opportunity to actively engage in bolstering my health, wellness, and psychological well-being, in a way I likely would not have without facing these challenges.
- My self-confidence and appreciation have done a 180 in recent years as I prove to myself day-after-day that I truly can handle hard things, persevere, and overcome whatever obstacles stand in my way.
- I have learned that it’s okay to acknowledge and embrace limitations, which has triggered profound personal growth. Using the knowledge of my limitations as a springboard allows me to progress in the areas where I don’t face limiting factors
2 People Who Inspire Me
- Michelle Obama
- Dr. Kevin McCauley
1 Thing You Want People to Know
People who are faced with physical and/or psychological conditions are not defined by their diagnoses. “It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It’s not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.” – Conan O’Brien
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