My Crohnic Life

– LIFE WITH AN INVISIBLE DISEASE – 

About Me

Hello! Thank you for taking a moment to get to know me. 

My name is Ashley. I am a 22 year-old fighting chronic + invisible illnesses/disabilities. I am also a yoga instructor in-training, a dog mom to Luna, a cannabis advocate & a self declared professional patient. 

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2013, as a 15 year old; this would be the first of many diagnoses. I have since been diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), Mold Toxicity & I’m currently going through the process of testing for Lyme + Co-Infections, as a possible root cause of my other diagnoses. I have also been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, PTSD & Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder). 

I am on too many medications to count, I’ve had too many procedures to number & I’ve had seven surgeries: two bowel resections (Crohn’s), a gall bladder removal, two ankle surgeries (hEDS), one shoulder surgery (hEDS) & a port placement (central line in my chest for IV medications). 

Through this blog, I want to work on breaking stigmas (involving both physical & mental health). I want others to know they are not alone. I want newly diagnosed 15 year olds to have resources to turn to that aren’t medical journals written by doctors. 

I invite you to grab a hot cup of coffee or tea, your favorite blanket & your bong (if that’s your thing). Get cozied in and ready to read about chronic illness, disability, accessibility, yoga, healing, western vs. naturopathic medicine, cannabis…life… in invisibility. 

Welcome to my crohnic life. I can’t thank you enough for being here. 

Love, Ashley

  xx