By: AP Young
Health, , , , , , , , , ,

Chronic Illness Voices on Instagram

Chronic illness was not always apart of my story. The last 4 years has changed my life in a way I could’ve never foreseen.

While the journey has not been an easy one; I am absolutely grateful for all that I’ve learned.

I did not learn as much as I did without the assistance of chronic illness warriors willing to use their voices on social media to educate the masses.

Today I’m sharing 12 chronic illness warriors that have been giving me life over the last few years just by sharing their journey!

@inaturally_can

@toughcookietee

@catherine_ashly

View this post on Instagram

Listen, . . Lately I am tiedddddddd no really Exhausted! This pregnancy is teaching me a lot about saying “No” and focusing on myself. I can’t do much and I really don’t want to. Lupus is kicking ass and My energy is really depleted! And don’t mention mood swings, they are on 1,000. This is the first pregnancy that I EVER experienced anything like this, so my assumption is this new child is really gonna get me together! 😂😂😂 . . My social life isn’t so social and my desire to do even the smallest things that I love have disappeared. My little blessing is forcing me to sit still and guess what? I’m NOT FIGHTING IT! For years I have been giving tirelessly, this year… I’m prepared to rest. I’m spending more time alone and mentally preparing for this little blessing that is now kicking me as we speak! . . I hope you receive your blessings this year and are taking the time to find acceptance and patience with yourselves. Be thankful for your peace and make each moment count. Being still has many benefits and in this season I am so blessed to witness and experience these STILL WATERS with my husband and children 😌 . . Photographer @jbake_photos . . . #lupusawareness #lupuswarrior #lupusandpregnant #pregnantbelly #catherineashly #todayisforliving #choosejoy #ichoosetobpositive #stayinthelup #momtobe #momofthree #mogulmum #plussizepregnancy

A post shared by Catherine Ashly (@catherine_ashly) on

@cantgoout_imsick

View this post on Instagram

It’s a scary time at the moment for everyone. But the disabled and chronically ill are not people to be used as sacrifice in order to protect those deemed more valuable. We must demand equal care, equipment and protection for all. Unite and support those demanding action for us. Our worth is not up for negotiation, not now. Not ever. We can not go down without putting up a fight. Protect the disabled, immunocompromised, chronically ill, elderly, fat, colonised, working class people. . . #ImAPersonNotADecision #SolidaritySelfie #NobodyIsDisposable . . There has been some confusion with my message here. I am not really speaking about the doctors who are forced into making these decisions as much as I am speaking about the ageism and ableism that prioritises non disabled people. How some lives are valued higher then others. I am speaking about the government that says elderly and disabled people should not get ventilators or life support over a young healthy person. I am speaking more about the billionaires who could supply the equipment and hospital beds needed. I’m talking about the systems that have completely ignored disabled and sick people for years who demanded we prioritise better and free health care and more hospitals. The ‘they’ is really captalism. . . In support of @itswalela and @ponythem – go to  tinyURL.com/NoBodyIsDisposable and check out the actions you can take to support those who are vulnerable.

A post shared by Mimi Butlin (@cantgoout_imsick) on

@cystumofcurves

@uninvisiblepod

View this post on Instagram

#truthtuesday edition with a little feature I recorded with @invisiblenotbroken and Eva of @wellacopia, to keep you busy during #lockdown. Tune in to hear how I live unapologetically with #chronicillness, and where I find the inner strength to keep on, even during trying times (hi #covid_19!). Listen/watch on #youtube, iTunes, Wellacopia/Invisible Not Broken websites, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I love you all and am wishing you health and happiness today and always ❤️ stay safe and keep washing those hands, kids 👏🤜🤛👋 . . . #invisibleillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillnessawareness #chronicillnesslife #spoonie #spoonielife #spooniesupport #press #podcast #listentoyourbody #unapologeticallyme #unapologetic #unapologeticallyyou #corona #coronavirus #covıd19 #covid #stayhome #quarantine #quarantineandchill #invisible #uninvisible #oversharing

A post shared by UNINVISIBLE POD (@uninvisiblepod) on

@fromsarahlex

@nitikachopra

View this post on Instagram

@chroniconofficial YOU HAVE MY WHOLE HEART. Monday was a day I will never forget. People flew in from Texas, Canada, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, North Carolina, Ohio, Boston, California and more to be at the very first Chronicon. I honestly don’t really have the words to describe what it all means to me. I love each and every single one of you that was there (and tuning in on livestream!), you will forever be in my heart. I’m still unpacking everything that happened and I will be for a while. For now, I want to make sure to acknowledge the angels below! . The biggest thank you ever to @healthline for embracing this big dream I had and taking it a level I could have never imagined 💗🙏🏾💗 I can’t wait to see what else we can do for this beautiful community. . @nancybryecarl you are an absolute angel on this earth and I can never say thank you enough. Words don’t do justice to how I feel about you and how much I love you. I’m the luckiest to get to do this with you. . I also want to thank our venue @unionpark.events for being so amazing! The all-women run space was EPIC and planning this with you has been a dream. Thank you for everything! . And can we give a shout out to all the fabulous partners that contributed to our day? OMG ❤️😍 I will be thanking you all more and more through the coming weeks so please know that my gratitude runs DEEP for you!! . I LOVE YOU ANGELS SO MUCH 💗💗💗 Thank you to everyone who showed up so fully and embraced this idea and added to the love in the room. I just want to hug each of you for days. LAST but not at all least I want to thank my Family who showed up for me SO FULLY over these last several months but especially with SO much love at Chronicon. I will never forget that!! #chronicallyme #chronicon2019 #love #spoonie #chronicillness #psoriasis #sleflove 📸: @laurelcreative 💗✨⚡️ . 👗 Styled by @samanthabrownstyle (wearing @bashparis) . 💋Makeup by: @danieandthebloom . 💁🏽‍♀️ hair by: @littlejessicag

A post shared by Chronic Illness Advocate ❤️ (@nitikachopra) on

@imaprilchristina

@fatchronicfree

View this post on Instagram

I grew up hearing and reciting this scripture in church as a preacher's kid who never felt beautiful. Being fat in the choir and leading songs seemed to mean to others that I just had to know how to " 'sho 'nuf sang". I fit a stereotype, so it was no big thing. At some point, I stopped being able to stand up for very long. Singing (especially in a gospel group or choir) requires a lot of exertion. I couldn't do it anymore. It was hard to explain. I was ashamed and made up excuses when my singing buddies would want to sing again or have reunion events. This is the first time I've ever shared this. I've never told anyone about how much I miss doing what I used to love. When I look at this in light of fat positivity and inclusivity though, I realize now that space should have been actively, consistently, and intentionally held for me. I should have been accommodated, especially in an environment that should have been safe and loving. I now want to sing for the world on my terms, in a setting of my choosing, sitting comfortably so that I can focuse on sharing the messages that are in my heart. Fat phobia is pervasive and the dogma and vitriol the church often exacts upon so many marginalized communities is evident everywhere we look. This scripture is so special to me because while so much scripture is used as an excuse by those who don't really know love and misrepresent spirituality, to hurt, attack, and kill, this scripture means more to me than ever. No matter what organized religion exemplifies, I always was, am, and will always be uniquely and specifically created. My body, mind, and soul are a one-of-a-kind creation. My body is a marvel and a wonder. It was made to do what's it's doing and I stand amazed. MY BODY IS STUNNING JUST AS IT IS IN THIS MOMENT. FOOD IS A WONDERFUL CREATION. LOVE IS POWERFUL. . . #fat #fatandfree #fatpositive #fatacceptance #superfat #fatpositivity #haes #intuitiveeating #antidiet #infinifat #chronicillness #ed #recovery #selflove #selfcare #orthorexia #selfacceptance #freedom #noshame #newlife #free #bodypositive #bodyconfidence #foodisgood #foodislove #foodislife #eat #eatwell #virtualmealsupport #bodytrust

A post shared by @ fatchronicfree on

@findingevie

@mauibigelow

The Wrap Up

This list isn’t a list of the only chronic illness warriors on Instagram. Rather it’s a snapshot into a community full of inspiring, candid and honest women sharing their stories and impacting lives one post at a time.

Who are some of your favorite chronic illness warriors?