Often, I find that those of us with complex medical histories get reduced to series of buzzwords. Functional. Idiopathic. Psychosomatic. Hypochondriac. Pain reports never trusted, and every symptom is drowned in scrutiny. People in our lives reduce us to either an inspirational story to tell their friends or an amalgamation of medical terms to be pitied. This is why I want to write; there needs to be a balanced, accurate narrative out here somewhere, where we aren’t inspirations or an eternal pity party but just people with minds and wants and personalities that go beyond our disabilities, which also acknowledges how those disabilities affect our daily lives.

I called this blog “Complexity Demystified” because that’s what the end goal is. To take a complex web of conditions and separate them into understandable, bite-sized chunks while also explaining how they relate to and affect each other. I don’t intend to ever “dumb down” conditions, but put them into terms and analogies that bridge the gap between medical terminology and everyday experiences.

This blog is for anyone; the person newly diagnosed with a life-changing condition, those who have been disabled for years, those with visible disabilities and those with invisible illnesses, friends and family looking for a better understanding, and anyone generally curious about the topic at hand. I will also say that this blog is not for anyone seeking a sugar-coated or censored look at disability and chronic illness. If you came looking for a lovely inspirational story with a happy ending, you won’t find it here. This is a place for honesty about the good and the bad.

I write from a place of lived experience, and this blog will be mostly based on that. I have multiple conditions, some neurological, some mental, some physical, and some in-between. I don’t speak for all disabled people, or even all people with my conditions. I am committed to only sharing accurate information. There will be no conspiracies or pseudoscience here.

As for the more technical information: I will add trigger warnings to posts as necessary, especially those that deal with mental health. If I ever miss a warning, feel free to let me know. I also try to format in a way that is accessible for screen readers.

MAJOR DISCLAIMER: I am not offering medical advice. If you need help with a symptom or advice on what treatment is best, please contact your doctor.

If you’re looking for a good read about complex medical issues, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Complexity Demystified!