Six years ago my entire life changed in a myriad of ways I never could have expected. Up until that point I was living the life I had worked hard creating for myself and I was so happy. I was living and loving the single life and my job as a preschool teacher and relished my independence.

Then my whole body fell apart and I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and chronic pain. I had to stop working, stop driving, and moved in with my mom and step dad because I could no longer do things on my own. I was miserable. It was like someone took my autobiography and tore out the entire second half of the pages I had so carefully curated for myself. I got sicker and sicker along with developing major depression and anxiety. I didn’t know what my purpose was in life anymore other than to simply survive.

But we as human beings have an amazing way to adapt to changing circumstances. I couldn’t control what was happening to my body but I could control how I responded to it. I decided to refuse to let myself fall apart, give up or give in. Just because I could no longer participate in the life I once had didn’t mean that there wasn’t a purpose for me out there in the universe and I was determined to find it.

I began to focus on advocacy. I took a course to become a chronic pain advocate so I could help others in my position and to help shape the government towards giving us more of what we need. It was such an empowering experience. Then several months ago I began a blog focused on my life with chronic illness. I’ve always been creative and this gave me an outlet through creative writing and poetry that is cathartic while allowing me to help people like me feel more connected and less alone. Finally, I began running a monthly in person Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome support group in my home town. That has been the most healing and rewarding experience for me, more than I could have ever imagined.

I still have streaks of days when I can’t get out of bed and when my illnesses take over my life, but it’s easier to cope with those days now instead of spinning out. I turn to my blog and I write, or I reach out to my support group. I remind myself that I have rearranged my life and found new meaning and purpose that give me power, strength, motivation and hope. I’m rewriting those torn out chapters with determination and perseverance.

I will not be silenced or made to be invisible, hidden behind my broken body. I chose to use my voice to speak for those that can’t speak for themselves, to connect with others like myself, and to allow myself to struggle but never to give in. Each day is a challenge (some more than others) and a choice not to let the pain and symptoms of my diseases take over my ability to use my voice to speak my truth.

My story isn’t over yet. Hear me when I say that, because your story isn’t over either. It just has a different path than before. Don’t give up, just keep searching on the journey for your new purpose.