A Coincidence about Chronic Illness (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome)

I have been diagnosed with a genetic condition called EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). It is an inability to properly create collagen in the body. As a result, my entire body is frequently affected by sudden and lasting pains, flare-ups and, consequently, emotional instability. I am frequently racked with pain and depression.

This past week, my wife and I took a short vacation to Quebec City. It was gorgeous. We were there during their annual Quebec Winter Festival, so crowds were large and festive. As we walked through throngs of people, I was overcome with pain and had to suddenly sit.

As I sat squeezing back tears and praying for relief or even a modicum of ammunition with which to fight my flare-up, a voice reached me from inside a group of hundreds of people just walking by. It was just a snippet of conversation: “…and especially if you have EDS, don’t worry about it…”

I don’t know who these people were or where they came from, but that single phrase gave me hope — and the strength to get up and fight another day.