BeWell Blog

A picture of a bright and cheerful classroom. It appears to be elementary school.

Back-to-School & the ADA: Know Your Child's Rights (and Reduce Stress)

Ill back-to-school? Learn about your child's ADA rights and 10 reasonable accommodations that make school less stressful and safer

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Women in a wheel chair painting a colorful mural on a wall.

Beyond Visibility: Reframing Wellness Through the Prism of Disability Pride

Disability Pride Month is in July, and visibility is vital, but I just can't stop thinking about something more. What if we're not just asking to be included in wellness conversations—what if we're actually pioneering them? After decades of navigating...

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women looking at the food table at a 4th of july picnic

Freedom to Live Full: Adaptive Clothing Provides Independence for All

What Freedom Truly Is When You're Fighting Your Body Every Day July rolls around, and everyone is talking about freedom and independence. Reminds me of my own conception of freedom—which really has nothing to do with fireworks or parades. It's...

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Summer Holidays & Chronic Illness: Pacing Yourself at Gatherings

Summer Holidays & Chronic Illness: Pacing Yourself at Gatherings

The smell of grills firing up, the sound of coolers being stocked with ice, and suddenly everyone's planning their three-day weekend. Memorial Day is right around the bend, bringing with it the unofficial start of summer and its backyard barbecues...

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How to Advocate for Yourself in the Medical System – Lessons from the Rare Disease Community

How to Advocate for Yourself in the Medical System – Lessons from the Rare Disease Community

The first time a doctor told me "it's probably just constipation/gas," I nodded and went home, thinking they must be right. A few doctors and many years later, I finally got my Crohn's diagnosis at the age of 17. That...

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Why Rare Disease Awareness Matters: How It Benefits the Whole Chronic Illness Community

Why Rare Disease Awareness Matters: How It Benefits the Whole Chronic Illness Community

I'll never forget the day my doctor finally put a name to what was happening to my body. After years of being told it was "just constipation/gas" or "all in my head," having a diagnosis – even not a rare...

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Living with Chronic Illness: Your Heart Health This February

Living with Chronic Illness: Your Heart Health This February

I believe your heart deserves extra love, especially while living through life with chronic illness. And because I understand the daily challenges that come with managing complex health conditions, I want to have a real conversation about something we don't...

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Self-Love Isn't Selfish: A Chronic Illness Guide to Valentine's Day—With or Without a Partner

Self-Love Isn't Selfish: A Chronic Illness Guide to Valentine's Day—With or Without a Partner

But in reality, the day of Valentine's may turn out to be pretty tricky once one has been dealing with some chronic illness. Perhaps on social media, one goes through all these couples all cute and stuff, while you are...

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From Strength to Vulnerability: How to Open Up About Chronic Illness as a Man

From Strength to Vulnerability: How to Open Up About Chronic Illness as a Man

Written by: Benjamin Ruehrdanz Society tells men to be stoic, to push aside pain and not to talk about their problems. Ultimately, regardless of gender, difficulties in talking about your condition come down to a practice in vulnerability. Hiding your...

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Understanding Medical Gaslighting: What It Is and How to Respond

Understanding Medical Gaslighting: What It Is and How to Respond

Written by: Amanda Phillips If you have lived with any type of chronic illness for any amount of time, there is a good chance that at one point or another, you felt your symptoms were not taken seriously by a...

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Trick-or-Treating Made Accessible to Kids with Medical Conditions

Trick-or-Treating Made Accessible to Kids with Medical Conditions

Written by: Amanda Phillips Halloween is one of the most magical times of the year when kids get to dress up, eat candy, and have fun in their neighborhoods. For children with medical conditions, however, traditional trick-or-treating can present challenges...

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Holiday Cheer When You Have Chronic Pain

Holiday Cheer When You Have Chronic Pain

Written by: Amanda Phillips The holidays are often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for those living with chronic pain, they can also be the most challenging. The hustle and bustle, long gatherings, and even colder...

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