Sava Wellness

Author: Sarah

  • Mallory 🎨

    In this month’s Community Interview we talk with Mallory about her chronic illnesses.

    Hello Mallory! It is great to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself? 

    I love to draw and paint, especially portraits and still lifes. I also love writing poetry and occasionally performing at open mic events. Sharing my talents helps me express myself and gives others the chance to share their voices too — especially people living with chronic conditions. I believe in lifting others up and making space for people to talk about their struggles, changes, and victories.

    My mother and father are from Louisiana and Texas, but I was born in Long Beach, California. In my early 20s, I moved to Houston, Texas. I worked in emergency medicine with animals as a veterinary technician, and that’s actually how I learned more about Chiari Malformation — the condition I live with. I had only heard of it in animals, and I didn’t realize I had it myself until much later. In animals, especially in severe cases, it often looked painful — and now I truly understand how much it can affect daily life.

    I don’t currently have any pets, but I do have two sisters — one older and one younger — and I’m an aunt to some wonderful nieces and nephews.

    Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

    Yes, I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia at the age of 31. It took years of searching for answers before I finally received a diagnosis. These are lifelong neurological conditions and fall under the Cerebral Palsy umbrella of ALS. The diagnosis brought clarity but also the beginning of a lifelong journey of managing and advocating for my health.

    What does the diagnosis mean?

    Chiari Malformation means part of my brain (the cerebellum) is pressing into my spinal canal, and Syringomyelia causes fluid-filled cysts (syrinxes) to form within the spinal cord. These conditions interfere with the nervous system and spinal cord, leading to widespread symptoms that can be disabling.

    What symptoms and treatments are involved?

    These conditions affect my spine and mobility. Some days, I use a walker, cane, or wheelchair, depending on how my body feels. I have a feeding tube as a result of a spinal cord injury from Syringomyelia, and I experience trigeminal neuralgia, a form of severe facial pain.

    I work with an incredible team of doctors, including a supportive neurologist, and attend speech therapy regularly. Together, we manage a wide range of symptoms — from pain to fatigue to nutrition and mobility — all of which require consistent, attentive care.

    How does this affect you personally and in daily life?

    My condition impacts nearly every part of my daily life. I deal with mobility issues, pain, and exhaustion — and no two days are the same. But I’ve found ways to maintain my sense of self and strength. I prioritize rest, sleep, nutrition, movement, and creative expression, which help me maintain balance and purpose.

    The words “Sava Wellness Community” are written in green cursive script over top of a polaroid picture. The polaroid picture is sitting on top of multiple layers of pink, cream, and white watercolour background. The polaroid picture has the name “Mallory” written in green under it. Mallory is smiling at the camera with her arms thrown up and has her hair pulled back. She has her legs crossed and is sitting in a wheelchair in front of a pool. She is wearing a tank top, hoop earrings, bracelets, a long necklace, jean shorts, and beige shoes.]

    A huge part of my healing and expression has come through art therapy, especially through United Spinal of Houston’s Open Arts and Minds program. This has given me a platform to turn my experiences into visual stories. It’s been transformative in helping me process the emotional and physical aspects of my condition.

    I’ve also become involved with the Houston Coalition of Independent Living, which has been instrumental in helping me grow as a disability advocate. Through their support, I’ve learned how to advocate for myself more effectively — whether at medical appointments or out in public spaces. This has given me confidence and tools to speak up for my needs and to represent others who may not have a voice yet.

    Does having a diagnosis help you?

    Having a diagnosis has made a big difference. It gave me validation and a clearer path to treatment and community. Before that, I often felt invisible or dismissed. Now, I not only have medical support, but I also have community connections and advocacy skills that help me stand up for myself and others. The diagnosis was a turning point — both practically and personally.

    When did you first realize you had a chronic illness?

    Even before I was diagnosed, I knew something wasn’t right. The symptoms had been with me for a long time, even going back to childhood. It wasn’t until everything became too overwhelming to ignore — and significantly impacted my quality of life — that I began to fully understand that I was living with a chronic illness. Being diagnosed at 31 confirmed what I had been sensing for years.

    What has been the most helpful for you as you’ve gone through this journey?

    The most helpful thing has been finding community. Discovering that I’m not alone — that there are others going through similar things — has helped me so much. Through networking, support groups, and open communication, I’ve found strength, advocacy, and understanding. It’s helped me not just advocate for myself, but for others, too.

    Is there anything else you would like people to know about your condition or chronic illness in general?

    Yes. There are good days and not-so-good days — and both are valid. The most important thing to remember is that every single day comes with an assignment.

    Sometimes that assignment is to show up for your community: to be seen, felt, and heard.

    Other times, that assignment is to show up for yourself: to rest, take respite, recharge, and heal.

    Both are necessary. Both are powerful. Chronic illness may change how we move through the world, but it doesn’t take away our worth, our creativity, or our purpose.

    Thank you Mallory!

    You can follow Mallory on Instagram @mallorygardiner86

    When you follow along with her you can stay on top of her art and where you can catch her next art exhibition!

  • Connection, Community, and Support

    Through Connection We Can Heal

    As the owner of Sava Wellness, I follow many people and groups on social media that deal with chronic illness and disability. The constant that I find through all of these is the importance of true connections between people. This is not only important for our mental and emotional well-being, but also for our physical well-being.

    I think we all know the importance of connection in a general way. We know that when we meet a friend we feel happier. We know that when someone reaches out to us we feel seen. And we know that the health organizations out there tell us that community is important.

    But what is community defined as nowadays? Completely online with commenting on people’s posts? A mix of virtual and in-person? Monthly virtual meet ups? Communal parties in the communities we live?

    As someone who interacts with people who can be housebound, I am so grateful for the invention of video communication platforms. I can interact with my friends in my own city as well as the friends I have made that live in different countries. This has allowed me to be in relationships with people and feel connected.

    On the flip side I am acutely aware of the loneliness of chronic illness and disability. Even with this hyper-connected world it is so easy to fall in the cracks and have no one to talk to or interact with. I think that it can be so easy to believe you have a connection with someone when you like and comment on their posts. And yes this does bring smiles and the person being seen, but this feeling typically doesn’t last as the person still doesn’t have anyone to talk to on a personal level.

    This is why I often ask that you reach out to the people in your life who are chronically ill and/or disabled. These conditions very often create situations of intense loneliness and feeling of being alone in what they are going through. Having someone to check in on you in a genuine way has a huge impact on a person’s day. Ask them if they want to have a phone call with you. Or if you can bring them over a meal or come and do a chore for them while you chat. This will make a huge difference for them and honestly will make the situation they are in feel much more tolerable.

    To those of you who are chronically ill and/or disabled, asking for help is not a weakness. Asking for help is a strength and a very courageous thing to do. There are people in your life that want to help, they just sometimes don’t know what to say or do so they don’t do anything. Ask for something specific and you might be surprised how quick and easily they respond.

    I believe that we can heal through connection. In genuine loving relationships of all kinds we can help each other become the best person we can become. I believe that by showing the differences and values of each other we all grow and learn to be better. And that for some groups it is harder to be seen. This is why I created the Community Interview series so that chronically ill and/or disabled voices can be seen and heard.

    I also know that when we become chronically ill and/or disabled, or our health changes, many of our relationships can fall apart. In a time of upheaval this is when we need our relationships the most and they are not always there. I felt this keenly and felt alone and in the need of friends. This is why I created the Chronic Illness/Disability Support meetings so that anyone who needs to talk to someone who understands what they are going through can. I can help guide and offer some skills, but I’m also here to listen to what you are going through and be there for you.

    If you have any questions about how connection and community can heal, or if you want to book an appointment with me, send me an email.

    As summer begins in some parts of the world we look forward to a time of being outside in nature and soaking up as much sun as we can. This season can easily be a time to put our relationships on pause. While this isn’t a bad thing, it can once again allow the chronically ill/disabled people in our lives to slip through the cracks. Let’s be intentional this summer and make sure to invite them to events or even meet them outside their front door for a chat. Summer should be a time of fun and love for everyone!

  • Maira 💪🏼

    In this month’s Community Interview we talk with Maira about her chronic illness.

    Hello Maira! It is awesome to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself? 

    I live in Islamabad, Pakistan. We are nine family members now: me, my mom and dad, my sister, two brothers, one brother in law, one sister in law, and my cute little niece. I also have a pet cat he’s my baby and he actually thinks he’s a baby. He misses me a lot when get admitted in the hospital.

    I do have a few hobbies like nail art, kanzashi art, artificial flower making art, interior designing etc.

    What terms do you like to use in relation to your illnesses/disabilities?

    A person who is chronically ill but thriving through any kind of hardship.

    Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

    Yes. It’s called VUR which lead to chronic kidney disease and I have many more illnesses like stomach ulcers, anemia, absence seizures, angina, skeleton deformity, and stunted growth.

    VUR is Vesicoureteral Reflux, a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the ureters and sometimes the kidneys and damages them.

    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a type of long-term kidney disease in which either there is a gradual loss of kidney function which occurs over a period of months to years, or an abnormal kidney structure (with normal function). Initially, patients are usually asymptomatic, but later symptoms may include leg swelling, feeling tired, vomiting, loss of appetite, and confusion. Complications can relate to hormonal dysfunction of the kidneys and include (in chronological order) high blood pressure (often related to activation of the renin-angiotensin), bone disease, and anemia. Additionally, CKD patients have markedly increased cardiovascular complications with increased risks of death and hospitalization. CKD can lead to end stage kidney failure requiring kidney dialysis or kidney transplantation.

    The words “Sava Wellness Community” are written in green cursive script over top of a polaroid picture. The polaroid picture is sitting on top of multiple layers of pink, cream, and white watercolour background. The polaroid picture has the name “Maira” written in green under it. Maira is smiling at the camera with her short dark hair down, is wearing a tan coloured jacket with matching scarf, a patterned shirt underneath, and is standing in front of a garden lattice.

    Does having a diagnosis help you? 

    Yes it does.

    How long did it take for you to get a diagnosis?

    10 years.

    If you don’t have a diagnosis, can you please describe your symptoms? 

    My neurological symptoms doesn’t have diagnosis. It all started with a head rush I used to bend over to feed my cat and when I get up I used to feel so dizzy that I couldn’t see anything and with time it got worse. I started fainting, my speech started slurring, my brain started getting slower, I couldn’t function properly, I couldn’t walk, in short I was in a bad state.

    Does not having a diagnosis affect how you live your daily life?

    Yes it does.

    When did you first realize that you had chronic illness and how has your journey been since then?

    I was born ill. I was born with a small bladder which caused VUR and that lead to CKD. So my journey has been in and out of the hospital ever since I’m born.

    How has your experiences of the world changed since your symptoms started?

    For me life was always different than a normal person because I never had a normal life. So I never experienced anything out of the way from the world.

    Which of your symptoms do you find the most debilitating and why?

    My absence seizures because they have no diagnosis and I’m having endless medications for them.

    Absence seizures are one of several kinds of generalized seizures. Absence seizures are characterized by a brief loss and return of consciousness, generally not followed by a period of lethargy (i.e. without a notable postictal state). Absence seizures are most common in children. They affect both sides of the brain.

    Can you describe what a bad day symptom-wise looks like to you?

    When a person is in a lot pain and hearing a loud screeching sound like anxiety is banging in your head and you feel oddly restless and no medication is working.

    When you have a good symptom day, what do you like to do?

    I like going out with my siblings. I like to rest in and watch asmr or a movie. I don’t overdo myself on good symptom day too.

    What has been the most helpful for you as you have gone through this journey?

    My religious beliefs.

    Is there anything you would like people to know about your chronic illness or chronic illness in general?

    Well I would suggest never ignore that your baby’s organs will grow with time. VUR is a serious condition and small bladder’s doesn’t grow on their own.

    Thank you Maira!

    Make sure to follow along with Maira on Instagram @achronicwarrior

  • Healing Power of Nature

    This month we celebrated Earth Day!

    Earth is vast and has so many different wonders to explore. We see examples of this wonder every day from the trees to the birds in the sky. But what about the healing wonders of earth?

    Ancient people have used medicinal herbs long before western medicine came about to heal almost anything that ails them. The bounty of herbs and medicinal plants that earth provides is seemingly endless and can have a true impact on our healing and health. In addition to the physical aspects of earths healing, we can also access Mother Earth’s grounding energy for healing. I use this every day to feel more connected to my body and to the earth. This helps me balance my energies and to remove negative energies that I start to feel. It is amazing to me how I can feel so off and “wrong” then remember to ground myself and I feel once again alive and more like me. 

    Thetahealing also uses earth energies as it is the first plane of the seventh planes. I end each of my Thetahealing sessions with a grounding and clients have stated how this finishes the healing process off and helps them reconnect with their bodies again. 

    Mother Earth is full of love and healing for us if only we ask. Profound healing can happen while being in connection with this beautiful energy. 

    As Mother Earth heals us, so we need to heal Mother Earth. We can help the earth heal by picking up garbage, recycling, and not using plastics, to buying from sustainable brands and supporting sustainable causes. We do have the power among all of us to make a difference and save our one and only home.

    If saving and healing our home isn’t enough let’s think about this. If we don’t heal the earth, who is going to continue to heal us and support us when we need it?

    Want to learn about grounding and the healing power of Mother Earth? Book an appointment with me here through email.

    Sometimes it is hard to be able to grasp what energy healing can do but it is similar in some ways to understanding that nature is healing. 

    Ever have a tough day and then go outside for fresh air and just feel better? That is nature healing you—especially if you go for a walk or sit on the grass! You may not think that nature healing is a tangible thing, but you have felt the difference and so you know it works. This is the same with energy healing! At the start you may not be able to see the tangible aspect of the healing but you know you feel better. As you work longer with energy healing it becomes more and more tangible and you can instantly feel the physical changes! Want to give it a try? Send me an email!

    Enjoy the warming sun and the start of nature pushing through the earth!

  • Saphire 💙

    In this month’s Community Interview we talk with Saphire about her chronic illnesses and disabilities.

    Hello Saphire! It is great to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself? 

    I live in Northeast Ohio. I have two brothers and was mostly raised by my mom, who taught me the strength I needed to at that time overcome my disabilities to get to this point of understanding my disabilities and the effect they have on them and how to live and strive with them.

    I love to read books and take opportunities to join activities in the community to learn about those around me.

    I am a public speaker and independent contractor in community education. In the community, I speak at events on life as a person with a disability; I also discuss what it means to show up as our disabled selves. Academically, I speak at events on intersectionality in disability history with other marginalized history groups. I do not have any virtual events now, but I will share when I do. 

    What terms do you like to use in relation to your illnesses/disabilities?

    Disabled, a person with Disabilities, and a person with chronic illness. A person with Disabilities and Disabled are interchangeable for me. The term I use depends on who I’m talking to or the audience I am in front of.

    Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

    Cerebral palsy—more on the moderate scale of CP. Affects the lower body (mostly) and can create body pains. I use mobility aids outside of my home to achieve my goals. Cerebral Palsy occurs when the brain’s areas that control muscle movement are damaged or do not develop fully. CP can affect people in different ways. For me, it primarily affects my legs, which is diplegia cerebral palsy, and my speech gives me a slight stutter. I am affected by chronic pain in my back, which has lessened, but I can still have days where it is a bother. 

    Asthma: severe the end of chronic illness, but can affect my way of having the energy to complete tasks. Have a physical and emotional trigger in high-emotional situations.

    Allergies: newish diagnosis I am still figuring out what the triggers are. I do know it has an asthmatic trigger in different environments.

    Hearing Impairment. Auditory processing disorder.

    The words “Sava Wellness Community” are written in green cursive script over top of a polaroid picture. The polaroid picture is sitting on top of multiple layers of pink, cream, and white watercolour background. The polaroid picture has the name “Saphire” written in green under it. Saphire is smiling at the camera, is wearing a light blue collared shirt, and has her dark hair in braids that are pulled back.]

    Does having a diagnosis help you? 

    Yes.

    How long did it take for you to get a diagnosis?

    I’ve always known my diagnosis, but as understanding things in groups got harder, it helped to know why. 

    When did you first realize that you had chronic illness and how has your journey been since then?

    So my chronic illness is asthma, but it has not always affected me until about 5 years ago. I moved to a more damp environment and developed allergies, which can cause me to have an asthma flare-up and be down for days at a time with exhaustion.

    How has your experiences of the world changed since your symptoms started?

    I have had to add medicine to my everyday life to manage my flare-ups as well, and I am more aware of the places I travel or rely on extra medications.

    Do you find it challenging if use mobility aids outside of the house?

    I have been using a reverse kaye walker my whole life, so I don’t mind using mobility aids, but sometimes it can be frustrating due to wanting to be independent and social barriers, but I figure it out. This is the link to my experience of transitioning from my walker to my wheelchair: https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/from-eight-to-twenty-eight-changing-my-perceptions-of-mobility-aids

    Which of your symptoms do you find the most debilitating and why?

    Either my asthma or hearing impairment. Asthma can create flare-ups and create hospitalizations. My hearing impairment leads to me being overwhelmed when too many things are said to me because both make me feel exhausted.

    Can you describe what a bad day symptom-wise looks like to you?

    A bad day for me looks like doing nothing and just laying in bed all day.

    When you have a good symptom day, what do you like to do?

    I love to go on walks when my asthma allows it.

    What has been the most helpful for you as you have gone through this journey?

    The most helpful thing for me is to have grace with myself and understand that the disabilities I have had my whole life can change what I do in different environments, and when they happen, I need to acknowledge my needs. 

    Is there anything you would like people to know about your chronic illness or chronic illness in general?

    Whether you developed a disabled or chronic illness or have had it your whole life, learn about it and figure out how it works within you to discover how to live with it, not overcome it, but live in whatever way that means for you. 

    Thank you Saphire!

    Make sure to follow along with Saphire on Instagram @saphire.murphy

  • What is Reiki and Intuitive Healing?

    What is Reiki?

    Reiki is a universal energy that is used in healing work. Reiki literally translates to universal life force. Reiki was discovered by Mikao Usui around 1915—although the practice is much older than that and it is thought that many ancient cultures used Reiki in some way, even if it was called something different. This discovery happened when Usui, after hitting rock bottom and going to a mountain to meditate, noticed that the palms of his hands were warm and could heal people when he touched them. From there the practice evolved into what it is today.

    The practice of Reiki uses Reiki energy to help a person’s body energy flow better and uncover any blocks in the energy. This is done on all four levels of a person; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. At the beginning stages of Reiki the predominant work is done on a person’s chakras. Chakras are energy centres on a person’s body. There are hundreds of chakras—including that of the palms of the hands used in Reiki—but the ones that are most often used are on the central meridian line of the body from crown to tailbone. Along this middle line there are 7 main chakras. These are the crown (top of head), third eye (forehead), throat (base of neck), heart (middle of breastbone), solar plexus (beneath ribs), sacral (below bellybutton), and root (tailbone). With life it is very easy for these chakras to get out of sync and to be stuck with negative energy. Reiki helps to remove all this stuck and stagnant energy and makes sure the chakras are aligned in size and rotation.

    Reiki is an energy of love and healing. And because of this, it is impossible for Reiki to be used for bad or to do damage. Reiki will always do what is in the person’s highest and best interest at that time. Reiki can be used on its own as a healing tool, but it also works very well alongside other treatments, and in some cases has been shown to make medical treatments even more effective. Reiki is a great healing system for pain, lethargy, illness, a general feeling of unwell, an unbalancing of energy, emotional healing, spiritual healing, releasing of stress and anxiety, and many other ailments. 

    Some people find that after their first Reiki session they already feel a huge difference, for others it can take a few sessions to finally feel a shift. This is different for every person and can take some learning to know what energy moving through your body can feel like. In some people you can feel Reiki as heat, or it can be a tingling feeling, a light pressure, a reduction in weight of the body, a lightness, or something else entirely.

    A wonderful aspect of Reiki is that it can be done via distance, meaning that you do not physically need to be with the practitioner while you are undergoing the session. This means that you can have it done virtually, or Reiki can be done at a set time for you without you even being virtually with the practitioner. This can make it easy to add Reiki into your life. As the client, all you need to do it sit/lie quietly and relax!

    To be able to practice Reiki you are attuned and taught by a Reiki teacher.  I did this through my teacher and I am certified in Reiki 1 and Reiki 2. Reiki 1 means you can practice on yourself and others, Reiki 2 means you can practice distantly, and Reiki 3 is a Reiki teacher who can attune you.

    Send me an email to book a Reiki appointment with me! ($60 for 30 mins) 

    What is Intuitive Healing?

    Now that you have an understanding that Reiki is a universal energy, as well as the basis of chakras, you can understand what intuitive healing is. Intuitive healing is going beyond the skills of Reiki to go to the deep root or cause of the issue you are having. Reiki is a fantastic healing modality that can heal many things, but sometimes there are things that are so stuck, and so stubborn, that Reiki cannot get it to move. This is when in my healing practices I turn to intuitive healing. But don’t fear, I often use Reiki in my intuitive healing sessions!

    The form of intuitive healing that I use is called Thetahealing and is based on using theta brain waves (the brain waves used in mediation and deep relaxation) and the seven planes of existence. To switch your brain into theta waves you imagine your consciousness going to the seventh plane. The seven planes of existence are as follows: The first plane is the earth, the second is all plant life, the third is all animals (including humans), the fourth is the ancestral plane, the fifth is the plane of angels and ascended masters, the sixth is the Laws of the Universe (like Gravity), and the seventh is the plane of the Creator of All That Is. 

    It is in the seventh plane that Thetahealing is done and so can change aspects in all of the other sixth planes because it is the plane of pure unconditional love and does not have the restraints of the lower planes such as dualism and ego. As with Reiki, the seventh plane is the energy of unconditional love, and so very healing. 

    We are multidimensional beings that have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. We are affected by the choices of our ancestors, our soul’s purposes, and the past lives that we have lived. And this can create blocks in our different bodies (energetic, mental, emotional, physical) and in our DNA. Many of these blocks that we experience are in our subconscious which make it difficult for us to work through on our own because our conscious mind and emotions can get in the way. By going up to the seventh plane to do healing, we are able to see the highest perspective that isn’t clouded by our emotions and thoughts and access the source of these blocks and remove them. 

    Thetahealing can be done remotely but unlike Reiki cannot be done without the person present. We all have free-agency and free-will choice so when changing aspects in a person, such as beliefs which are holding us back, you need to willingly agree to these changes with a spoken “yes”.

    Personally I have found much relief through intuitive healing and I am much better off health wise since I saw an intuitive healing practitioner and then learned to do it on myself and others. Send me an email to book an Intuitive Healing appointment with me! ($135 for 60 mins)

  • Charisma 💜

    In this month’s Community Interview we talk with Charisma Atkins, DrPH (she/her) from Atlanta about her chronic illness, her work in public health, and her advocacy.

    Hello Charisma! It is awesome to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

    I live in metro Atlanta area. I am single and e-dating. I have a family of support from my parents, siblings, cousins, and a host of family friends and loved ones. I have no children of my own, one of the downsides of contracting Lupus soo young and soo early in the research of the disease. But I have a Goddaughter that I love very deeply. She brings me so much joy. Her mother grants me the pleasure to help raise her. So whenever I am with her there is brightness and pure love in my heart and soul that I feel for her. I will stop whatever I am doing just to be there for her.

    Do you have a favourite hobby?

    I have several hobbies. I love to travel. Something some people take for granted. But when you been on dialysis and are constantly told to not travel so far or to take all your supplies with you – I especially love to pick up and go somewhere. I also love skincare, so much so I went and earned my aesthetics license. My other significant hobby is working out. I love to see what I can do in the gym because it makes me feel like I am “normal” and can do what anybody else can do. I started taking exercise very seriously about 5 years into my diagnosis and truly believe it has helped sustain and maintain me all these years. Other hobbies include shopping, trying new foods/restaurants, and just being with friends and family.

    What terms do you like to use in relation to your illnesses/disabilities?

    I refer to myself as a Lupus Warrior or lovingly called a Lupie. I choose to call myself a Warrior and not a survivor because I am continuing to fight for my health every day and the word survivor signifies that I am only surviving. And I’m doing more than just surviving, I am thriving. As a warrior I recognize the obstacles and complexities of Lupus and I know how to maneuver and respond to them to ensure that I continue to thrive.

    Do you have a job outside of your chronic illness?

    Yes, I have worked in public health for almost 20 years about the same length of time I have had lupus. I have been an Epidemiologist at the state and federal level since 2003. Throughout my journey I continued to aspire for higher heights, earning my Masters and Doctorate in Public Health. I have worked in several major public health projects including HIV, Ebola, Zika, Bird Flu, and COVID. Traveling all over the world helping other countries build up their public health capacity, while staying safe and protected, taking my medicine, and thriving with Lupus. I also got my International Certification in Esthetics so I can help educate and inform other Lupies and Chronic Disease Warriors about their skin. I have help my own day spa for 5 years, written articles, and spoke at Esthetic shows about skincare among the Chronic Disease Community.

    Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

    I have Lupus Nephritis, which means that I have Lupus that affects my kidneys. For years it was monitored through medication but because Lupus is an autoimmune condition it began to affect my kidneys. Since then I have gone through dialysis and received a kidney transplant.

    Would you be willing to describe what dialysis is?

    Sure. Dialysis is a medical intervention used when the kidneys enter into failure. Kidneys are responsible for urination that helps filter the blood and clean out toxins. Often times people in kidney failure do not urinate enough or urinate at all. Making it extremely difficult for filtering toxins and cleaning the blood. This leads to swelling in the body and retention of water and waste. Therefore a dialysis machine is used as a temporary replacement for the kidneys to help patients filter toxins, clean the blood, and reduce that swelling. There are different ways to dialyze, but most people either receive hemodialysis (traditional way) through a fistula or graft placed in the arm. Or they do peritoneal dialysis (PD) through a tube that it implanted in one’s stomach/abdomen that also aids in filtration and removal of toxins. Both ways are helpful and proven effective. But it just depends on the patient’s preference.

    The words “Sava Wellness Community” are written in green cursive script over top of a polaroid picture. The polaroid picture is sitting on top of multiple layers of pink, cream, and white watercolour background. The polaroid picture has the name “Charisma” written in green under it. Charisma is smiling at camera and holding her left hand in the shape of a “L”. She is wearing a brown tracksuit and is standing in a gym.

    How long did it take for you to get a diagnosis?

    I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus] in 2001. Receiving a diagnosis was quick. I had muscle pain and was exhausted for about a week. One day I was unable to stand or walk. My parents took me to their General Practitioner. He ran some tests including the Lupus test. It was positive, he sent me to a Rheumatologist and so began my journey.

    Does having a diagnosis help you? 

    I’m glad I have a diagnosis because it allows me to understand the symptoms and gives me a plan of attack. The worst part of my journey was by far dialysis. But that’s hopefully over. I have had a transplant for 2 years and with every lab my results get better.

    How has your experiences of the world changed since your symptoms started?

    My experience of the world hasn’t changed that much because I won’t allow Lupus to stop me from anything I want to do. Very rarely do I have continuing symptoms. But the hardest one is muscle pain. But lifting weights, taking my medicine, drinking water, and getting rest helps with the symptom.

    What does a bad day and a good day symptom-wise look like for you?

    I don’t have a bad or good symptom day. I count everyday as a day to keep living and thriving. Some days I have pain and some days I don’t. But at least I’m not in the hospital or bedridden. So it’s all about perspective for me. As long as I can walk, breathe, and enjoy life it is a GOOD DAY.

    What has been the most helpful for you as you have gone through this journey?

    Support has been the greatest help throughout the journey. Having a medical team that understands my wants and needs has also been extremely helpful. But most importantly it has been my faith that has sustained me through the different hospital stays, pain, dialysis, emotions, and all the ups and downs.

    Is there anything you would like people to know about your chronic illness or chronic illness in general?

    Lupus is a chronic condition that many people have and deal with. But I want people to know that with support, the right medical advice and guidance, and self-determination Lupus CANNOT STOP YOU! Please consider learning more about Lupus and the great works the Lupus Foundation of America and the American Kidney Foundation continue to do and advocate for.

    Thank you Charisma!

    To follow with Charisma you can visit Instagram (cyatkins), TikTok (cyatkins36), and Facebook (Charisma Atkins). 
    For her aesthetic business the Instagram is (SimplyCharisma) and website www.simplycharisma.net  

  • Travelling with Accommodations

    This month my family and I were fortunate enough to be able to go on a trip. We picked a very lucky time as it ended up being -35ºC in Calgary while we were away basking is 23ºC. In our family of three, two of us are physically disabled, and there are food allergies, so we have learned to accommodate travel to fit our needs. There always needs to be a kitchen where we go and we often do less than most people would do because of energy levels and physicality. But we have honed the method to such a level that we enjoy every second of it and can remove ourselves from the everyday reality to give ourselves a mental and physical break. This doesn’t mean that we came up with all the accommodations on the first trip! As the years have gone on, and our bodies have changed, we have had to shift our changes to travel. Part of this is learning to let go of things that you can no longer do and to be able to work through the grief of that. Part of it is doing lots of research beforehand and at the end of each trip asking ourselves if we could have done anything else/different to make ourselves more comfortable. And the final part is making sure we enjoy ourselves. And so we find joy and fun in the new things that we are able to do together as a family, and we make sure that what we can do we are excited for. The planning and anticipation is just as fun as the actual vacation!

    I would like to offer my assistance to those who would still like to travel but are not sure how to go about travel with new chronic illness and/or disability considerations (or your friends or families conditions!). You can book a Chronic Illness/Disability Support Meetings ($20 for 50 mins) with me and we can talk about everything involving travel. From medical letters to bring all your supplements/medications with you on the plane; finding places to stay that fit your needs; navigating food allergies in foreign countries; actively planning days of rest; and much more! I would be happy to chat with you and can share my own experiences plus those that I have encountered through Sava Wellness.

    Travelling with accommodations is a large picture item to see how a chronic illness and/or disability can change the structure of your life, but this doesn’t mean that accommodations don’t happen in day-to-day life. The way you travel in your city, the food you eat on a regular basis, and the jobs you have can all change suddenly—and sometimes drastically—when your chronic illness/disability starts or changes. This means that we should be open to how everyone navigates their space and not judge them for what they have to do in order to go about their lives. Everyone is different and so is their experience, so we should try to remember this and be mindful that other people may do things differently than us.

  • Paige 🧘‍♀️

    In this month’s interview we talk with Paige who has a rare skeletal disorder.

    Hello Paige! It is great to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

    Hi my name is Paige and my preferred pronouns are she/her! I like to use the terms: a person with disabilities, a person who has a chronic illness, and invisibly disabled. I’m from Ontario, Canada. I am an only child and I have a black lab! Some of my favourite hobbies include reading, baking, and watching movies. I juggle a few different jobs, I am a full time Educational assistant, full-time chronically ill and disabled person, and I like to think of myself as a content creator.

    Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

    I have a rare skeletal disease called Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) which means I have 2 vertebras that are fused together in my cervical spine. Because of this I have chronic pain. It is developed while in the womb, so I was born with it. It affects more assigned females at birth than assigned males at birth. No one knows what causes it, it’s deemed to be sporadic, meaning it’s not inherited or a genetic cause. 

    The words “Sava Wellness Community” are written in green cursive script over top of a polaroid picture. The polaroid picture is sitting on top of multiple layers of pink, cream, and white watercolour background. The polaroid picture has the name “Paige” written in green under it. Paige has medium length brown hair and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a pink tank top.

    I also have migraine disorder. On the flip side migraine is genetically inherited! If one parent has migraine there is a 50% chance the child will inherit it. If both parents have migraines there is a 75% chance the child will inherit it. Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by episodes of moderate to severe headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea. It normally occurs starting at puberty and is also more common in assigned females at birth. 

    Some of the main symptoms I experience are pain in my shoulders, neck, head, jaw, pecs and trapezius muscles, constant headaches, brain fog, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to sounds and light, and fatigue. 

    How long did it take for you to get a diagnosis?

    It took me until I was 20 to get diagnosed with KFS and I had on-going chronic pain for a few years before this got diagnosed. I got diagnosed with migraine when I was in grade 9, I was 15 and had been experiencing migraine attacks since I was 11. 

    When did you first realize that you had chronic illness and how has your journey been since then? How has your experiences of the world changed since your symptoms started?

    Definitely this year I realized I had a chronic illness as I was in a constant state of pain. I didn’t realize that having migraines was an invisible disability until this year as well. I’ve been able to advocate for my own needs as well as share my story on social media. I learnt to be an advocate by doing my research as well as talking about being chronically ill and not being scared to share it. 

    I’ve been able to see that a lot of places and people aren’t as accessible as I wish they could be, especially when my disability isn’t visible. I wish people wouldn’t look at me funny if I sit in the disabled seating or sit down. Just because I’m young doesn’t mean I am healthy and able-bodied. 

    Which of your symptoms do you find the most debilitating and why?

    My head hurting when I have a migraine is the most debilitating because it is hard to focus because of the pain.

    Can you describe what a bad day symptom-wise looks like to you?

    A bad symptom day includes me feeling super unwell, I feel nauseous, my entire body aches, I feel exhausted and my head will also hurt. When I experience a bad symptom day I like to lay in the dark in bed with an ice pack on my head, in silence while trying to sleep, if I am home and able to. 

    When you have a good symptom day, what do you like to do?

    When I experience a good symptom day I like to bake. 

    What has been the most helpful for you as you have gone through this journey?

    Being able to find a community on Instagram. 

    Thank you Paige! You can follow along with Paige through her Instagram account @paigethewellnesswarrior

  • January is Ending!: This Month Felt Like a Year

    I have a feeling that many of us have felt like this month was unending. It almost feels like we should be half way through 2025 and yet as of today we have only finished one month. How is that even possible? Time truly is such a weird, and slippery, concept. With damaging world news—political, natural, violence, and more—it feels like 2025 has gotten off to a bad start.

    So what do we do in the face of so much horror, both in the world and personally? I wish I had a perfect answer, a cure-all for this world, but sadly I don’t. But I will tell you what I do. I try to make my world a little better, because if I feel better—emotional as well as physically—I can then go on to help other people. Your cup has to be filled before you can fill someone else’s. So I give myself permission to not go on the news or on social media. I give myself permission to not judge myself based on other people’s lives. I give myself permission to take care of my needs. I try to help the people in my life by lifting their spirits or doing something for them, no matter how small. And I try to find joy.

    Is this easy? No! Most days it is hard because I bombard myself with self-criticism, or judge myself for not doing enough, or for not helping other people enough. It can be quite depressing. So on the days that it isn’t quite so depressing, I once again give myself these permissions and hope that I don’t feel too guilty about doing it. My hope is that the more I do it—speak to myself with love and not criticism—the easier it will become as with any skill. This is actually a concept called self-compassion, which I am actively learning and working on. The world is bad enough without me being so hard on myself, and so I am trying. Will all these things make the world a better place? Maybe not. But I do believe that bringing kindness to others—and yes, even to myself—will help in some way. At some point if we are all kind to each other that has to bring about positive change.

    Next month Valentine’s Day is celebrated, which is all about love. What if we expanded that love to everyone—ourselves, our families, our partners, our friends, our neighbours—and that we did it not just on the 14th but on every day this coming month? We all have such large capacities to love, so what if we decided to share that? In actions big and small, from smiles to making someone dinner to donating to a worthy cause and everything in between. Maybe this will help the world, and if not the whole world, then at least the world and the people that we interact with.

    Let us try to make February the month of love and kindness, let’s see how much positivity we can spread.

    As an energy healer, in both Intuitive Healing and Reiki, I know the power of energy. Energy does what we tell it to do, so when we send people positive thoughts, we are actually sending them positive energy! Never underestimate the power of sending people love and kindness.

    Sending kindness and joy to you for today and the coming month.