Ridgetown, Ontario, Canada
From ITP Diagnosis to a Career in Healthcare
- What’s your name?
Karlee Boersma - Where are you from?
I grew up in Wheatley, Ontario and now live in Ridgetown, Ontario - How are you connected to ITP?
I was diagnosed with ITP in 2011, going through many treatments over the years. I have been in remission since November 2021. - How/Why did you get involved with PDSA? Why do you choose to stay involved?
My mom found PDSA online and we attended an in-person meeting in London, Ontario and I found them it so impactful. Before then I had never met anyone with ITP before. I also started facilitating a group shortly after Covid online! Though I had a baby girl in September and am on a break currently from that.
I choose to stay involved because I know how much it can mean to feel like you’re not alone with this rare condition. - What is your favorite part about volunteering for PDSA and spreading ITP Awareness?
I am hoping I can bring the same peace to others with ITP that the PDSA brought to me. There are options for you and you can live a very normal life. - How has PDSA impacted your healthy journey?
I have made many friends who also have ITP and have been able to learn from and grow along side them with tips/tricks that have helped them… or having a shoulder to lean on when things flare up.
My ITP diagnosis led me to my career in healthcare! - What do you do for work?
I am a nurse practitioner. - Share something unique about you and/or one of your favorite hobbies.
I grew up on a farm and I love to play volleyball. - What can you be found doing on the weekends?
Hanging out with my family and friends. - What is one thing you’d share with a newly diagnosed patient?
That you are not alone, there are so many people in our ITP community who would love to help you through this journey! The treatments and their side effects are not always the most fun, but keeping a positive mindset makes all the difference (I know this is always easier said than done, I went through “roid rage” as a teen lol). But your journey will help others, life throws everyone something, some more challenging than others, but it’s never anything we can’t handle. Let your story be someone else’s inspiration!