1. The illness(es) I live with are: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type 2/3, Dysautonomia (POTS or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and Gastroparesis.

For documentation sake, the following are Allie and my speeches from Life as a Zebra Foundation’s third annual, “An Evening With Tony Lucca and Chris Trapper to Benefit Invisible Illness Awareness & Research” held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on April 12, 2014.

Dear Family, Friends, Supporters, and Fellow Zebras,

Finally!

After months, and days, and hours, and hours…and more hours of planning, we are finally ready to launch ticket sales for our 3rd Annual, “An Evening with Chris Trapper and Tony Lucca to Benefit Invisible Illness Awareness and Research.”

There have been many meetings so far.  So many triumphs.  So many acts of kindness and generosity.  So many emails.  And yes, even a few frustrations and tears along the way.  I have learned that just goes with the territory.

Two years ago, the dream was born for Allie and me. 

Live. Love. Michigan.

A company I had not heard of until a few weeks ago, when my friend, Sara, posted a link to my Facebook wall asking if I wanted to vote. I was confused so I read further and saw that this company was asking for people to nominate their favorite Michigan non-profit for their Hold on to Hope Campaign.

Hi friends! Invisible Illness Week is fast approaching (September 9-15). I was asked to fill this out, and just before I was about to respond with, “I already did it two years ago,” I thought about it and realized a lot has changed in two years.  Therefore, some of my answers are different and some have remained the same.  I wanted to post it early, before school starts, since I am unsure how my body will respond or adjust to being back to work again.  So here you go. My 30 things.