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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Built From the Battle: How IBD Shaped BeWell Products

Built From the Battle: How IBD Shaped BeWell Products

A view into how IBD shaped BeWell for World IBD Day. When I Was First Diagnosed with Crohn’s... ...I thought my life would be divided in two: before IBD and after IBD. But what I didn’t expect—what no one tells...

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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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IBS in Public: 10 Real-Life Hacks for Managing Symptoms on the Go

IBS in Public: 10 Real-Life Hacks for Managing Symptoms on the Go

There's having IBS at home - and having IBS out and about. Two very different problems. At home, you know where the bathroom is. You've got your heating pad, your comfort foods, and no one questioning why you've been in...

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Reflecting on International Women's Day: Honoring Women with Chronic Illness

Reflecting on International Women's Day: Honoring Women with Chronic Illness

International Women's Day, marked every year on March 8th, offers a time to commemorate gains achieved by women and look back on work still to be done. It's a day to recognize strength in every sense – including the amazing...

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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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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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Love Languages When Life Gets Hard: Real Talk About Care & Chronic Illness

Love Languages When Life Gets Hard: Real Talk About Care & Chronic Illness

A week ago Tuesday, I sat with my friend Emily at her kitchen table. She was having one of her better days—enough energy to sit up and chat while her coffee got cold—something that always happens now, she jokes. "You...

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Coping with a Serious Diagnosis: How to Take It In and Stay Positive

Coping with a Serious Diagnosis: How to Take It In and Stay Positive

Written by: Amanda Phillips Receiving a serious diagnosis can be one of life's most overwhelming moments. An autoimmune disease, a chronic illness, even cancer—whatever it is you hear from your doctor may make the world stop spinning for that one...

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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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