Empowered by chronic illness...NOT overpowered.

Be empowered.

Original art by Gina Welds Hulse

Recently I was diagnosed with POTS.  The likelihood of this diagnosis came up when I was taken to the ER because my heart was doing some crazy things.  That is not unusual.  I am being monitored by an implantable device.  It was a round of questions that had me puzzled, but when I saw my diagnosis, it all made sense.  Another trip to my cardiologist was needed for an update.
You can listen to my personal experience with the cardiac implant here:

However, POTS is not my only diagnosis.  I was diagnosed with lupus, COPD, pernicious anemia and a host of others before POTS came along.  I share with you my story to inspire any suffers out there that endurance, courage and bravery are the key to living a healthy, inspiring life with chronic illness, even POTS.  I have shared some key qualities and things that I do to make my life with chronic illness easier.

Here is my lupus/chronic illness story:

At the time of writing this, I have been up for several hours already....created some material for a new video, gave my granddaughter a bath, washed a load of laundry, fixed breakfast for my granddaughter.  My youngest son is still asleep.  I function well early in the morning, as my energy tends to wane around 2 or so in the afternoon.


Since my diagnoses I have faced many challenges. I had to quit my job almost 3 years ago, when I got really ill from lupus complications.  I used that time to research holistic ways of healing, and shortly after became a certified herbalist.

Don't get me wrong...I have some challenging days still.  Just when I feel like I am doing so well, something comes along and sweeps me off my feet, and not in a good way.  There are days that I cannot walk.  Some days I feel like I can run a marathon.  I have not been able to train in the martial arts for some time, but recently decided to try Tai Chi, as I know it has lots of benefits for those with POTS and other chronic illnesses.

I have also started a new garden, one that I hope to feed me regularly.  I have already started to harvested beans and other items, and this is a very therapeutic activity.  Of course, with dysautonomia, the sun can be an issue so I do 99% of the gardening before 7 a.m. and after the sun has gone down.

As an artist, painting can also be a challenge, but I press on.  Take a look at what I was able to achieve earlier this year.


Whatever battles you are facing and no matter how hard it all feels, please remember there is new life to be found and new happiness to be made. With some endurance, courage and bravery you can get through these challenges of chronic illness and live a life you are proud of.