Yesterday I left my wheelchair in the car – on purpose.

Denise ElysaAbout Denise Elysa, Lived Experience, Mind-body healing, POTS Leave a Comment

Yesterday we took our youngest to the Aquarium…and I left my wheelchair in the car. Most of healing does not happen overnight, nor in big, sudden, social-media worthy shifts. Have I experienced what most people view as “miracles”? The sudden ability to walk for example, after a period of being unable to walk unassisted? (In my case due to severe …

My Body Hasn’t Always Felt Like Home

Denise ElysaAbout Denise Elysa, Chronic Illness & Healing, Creative Writing, Lived Experience Leave a Comment

I live in a body that for much of my life has not felt like home. These days I often don’t recognize it. I’d be lying if I said I never wince at its sight. It doesn’t look like the body that I worked so hard for, so many years ago. The clothing that used to feel most comfortable, no …

A Love Letter to My Illnesses (and Body)

Denise ElysaAbout Denise Elysa, Chronic Illness & Healing, Lived Experience, Nervous System Healing Leave a Comment

This is not a letter of martyrdom, but of radical responsibility. For the choices I did and did not make and the actions I did not take. Although I understand that we operate in systems, families, communities, and everyone plays a role that impacts the other, this is my responsibility to own – and doing so, empowers me. I’m sorry. …

Do it Sick. (Creating an intentional life from exactly where you are)

Denise ElysaAbout Denise Elysa, Chronic Illness & Healing, Lived Experience Leave a Comment

This post is all about creating an intentional life for yourself – from exactly where you are right now. Do it sick. Do it lonely. Do it poor. Do it uncertain. Do it with kids. Do it while things are messy. Do it scared. This isn’t about pushing yourself beyond your means – whether that be financially, physically, or based …