Guest Voice

Although I live with a chronic illness, I’ve always tried to shape my life with as much freedom and independence as possible. This was true long before anyone put a name to my condition: IgG4‑RD. The ability to make my own choices and decide for myself how a day…

Until 2020, I was healthy by every normal measure. I worked, raised my daughter, spent time with my partner and friends, and found freedom on my motorcycle. Then, in the summer of 2020, severe pain appeared on my right side. It stayed. It spread. And it changed everything. After months…