Living with an illness like POTS, either post COVID or from another viral infection or trigger, or living with other co-occurring conditions, can be very difficult for so many reasons, but you are doing a beautiful job each and every day even if you don’t feel like you are. We see it. Not only are you advocating for what you need and deserve, but you are also taking the time to reach out to a supportive resource and seek the care and support that you need. You wouldn’t be reading this right now if you weren’t! That takes a great deal of strength, courage, and insight into what you need. We want to recognize you for that!

You are a champion, with a beautiful soul, a warm heart, and a spirit that inspires all of those around you. You are the helper who always thinks about how you can help others and bring joy into their lives. You are the parent who is always thinking about what you can do for your children, even if you are having trouble standing to brush your teeth. You are the student who relentlessly does whatever you can despite it taking much longer to complete assignments or remember what is due each day. You spread glitter wherever you go, inspiring others with your beauty, your kindness, and your desire to bring joy into their lives. You are the parent who is desperately searching for answers for your child, refusing to give up until you know they are happy and have everything they could possibly need.

You are the POTSie who continues to be kind to those around you, despite being hurt by so many in your life. You are the chronic illness warrior who continues to fight despite how difficult some days may be, and do what you can to spread awareness and advocate for yourself. You are the chronic illness warrior who continues to get up every morning, even if all you can do that day is breathe, and soak in as much as you can, hoping that tomorrow will be a better day filled with some symptom relief. You continue to believe in yourself, even on the days when it feels much more difficult and almost impossible. You are the POTSie who takes breaks when possible as hard as it may be, especially if you were someone who was always on the go before getting sick. You are the researcher who relentlessly researches your symptoms and knows more about your illness and health than most providers you have seen. You are the chronic illness warrior who has been hurt by so many around you, who have gradually distanced themselves and refused to take respiratory virus precautions or acknowledge your illness, so you have done what you can to meet new people, make new friends, and develop new support systems.

You are inspiring to everyone around you and everyone in our community. The time you take to pace yourself is inspiring. The extra time you take to shower to try to reduce symptoms, is inspiring. The adjustments you have made to increase your quality of life, as difficult as they may be, are inspiring. You sitting there, reading this on your phone or computer, is inspiring. You are taking the time you need to take care of yourself, to prioritize your health, to get the help you need. You are not letting others who may have hurt you get in the way of the care you receive, of the support you get, of the people you reach out to.

You are not a burden, you are loved, you have a purpose, and this world needs you here. We need kind people like you, people who are empathetic, who care about others, who want to inspire change. The world needs your bright light, your uplifting energy, your truth, your story, and your words. This is not the end, but rather a new and unexpected beginning; a journey that wasn’t expected, but a journey that can still be filled with beauty, hope, fulfillment, growth, and purpose.

“Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think and loved more than you know.” - Christopher Robin, A.A. Milne (via Lexie Murray)

You are not alone.

Today needs you here.

Tomorrow needs you here.

Difficult moments don’t define you.

Our community needs you here.

Your illness does not define you.

Their words don’t define you.

This world needs you here.

We believe in you.