I was diagnosed with ITP in September of 2019, when my platelet count was 4,000. I had an extremely difficult time adjusting to the fatigue, weekly blood draws, and my body’s new limitations. However, as time went on, I began realizing that I couldn’t change the situation, I could only change my mindset. Instead of focusing on everything I couldn’t do, I began focusing on what I could.

When my platelets were extremely low, I tried two different steroids to raise my platelet count. However, both of these medications made me feel awful, and as soon as I finished the treatments, my platelets dropped back to their previous numbers. Over the last five years, my platelets have naturally risen to a more stable and less-concerning quantity, which allowed my hematologist to discover that I also have macrothrombocytopenia, which impacts my closure time and exacerbates my bleeding symptoms.

Having ITP has allowed me to become better at taking care of my body, advocating for myself, and persevering through difficult situations. I have uncovered a passion for accessibility and I am currently majoring in Product Design with the hope of making life a little easier for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

It can be extremely difficult living with a chronic illness, but PDSA always reminds me that there are other warriors fighting similar battles, and that all of us are more than capable of living happy, productive, and lovely lives.