About Me

My name is Alana. I'm 19 and I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and Neurally Mediated Hypotension.

Through all the good days and hard days, I put my hope and trust in my Savior.  I believe he gives me the strength to accept, peace that is stronger than any fear, grace that picks me up when I fall, and mercy to believe that I'm here for a purpose.

My life isn't over; it's just beginning.  Isn't a disaster but is filled with hope and meaning.

My Story

Growing up, I was active and full of dreams.  Little did I know, around the age of thirteen, my life changed.  After dislocating my knee cap for the first time I didn't think much of it until I kept shifting joints.  During the next five years I would  shift or dislocated joints almost thirty times.  It didn't make any sense.  My wrist would pop out when I climbed over a fence or  when I rubbed my hand over my knee.  I dislocated my hip bending over to pick something up, knees,  shoulders, collar bone, and elbow would also shift out of place.   My neck and back have also come out of alignment multiple times.  My SI joint came out of place so much one day, that my therapist said that you usually see someone with an SI joint out of place like after they have fallen off a horse.  Truth was it happened by nothing.   I was in chronic pain but the doctors pushed all my symptoms aside assuming I was trying to get drugs or attention.  Doctors and therapist would manipulate my joints and sent me home is so much pain I couldn't walk.  The symptoms kept mounting - mind numbing fatigue, high heart rate, stomach pain and more.  I was told to toughen up. One doctors verbally expressed his concern that I was just plain lazy.   My pain and inability to stand almost blacking out left me in bed and on the floor.  Iced up or asleep.  For someone who wanted to be a combat medic and surf left me hoping someone would be able to understand.   At the age of 17 I was finally diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos- Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Finding a Therapist and Cardiologist who understood how to treat EDS and POTS was the first step to recovery.  Someone who knew how to push me and help me at the same time.  Knowing what my joints could do presently and in the future.  After a year of physical therapy I spent my first pain-free summer since my early teens and started going to Anytime Fitness.   Going to the gym on a regular basis anytime any where is critical in increasing  my fitness level, ability to do everyday tasks as well as pursue dreams I never thought possible. 

I started this blog in hopes of encouraging others who are going through difficult times and also to spread EDS awareness. If you just looked at me you probably wouldn't be able to tell what I have and struggle with. I think its the same way with a lot of people who aren't even dealing with something like EDS. We can so readily cast judgement on people not even knowing who they really are and what they may be feeling. Living with EDS has helped me see that as I go through it myself.