Patient Contributor

Kirsten Schultz

Kirsten Schultz is a writer from Wisconsin who challenges sexual and gender norms.

Overview

Living With Condition
25 Years
Published
6 Articles
Location
Madison, Wisconsin

Introduction

Through her work as a chronic illness and disability activist, she has a reputation for tearing down barriers while mindfully causing constructive trouble. She recently founded Chronic Sex, which openly discusses how illness and disability affect our relationships with ourselves and others, including — you guessed it — sex! You can learn more about Kirsten and Chronic Sex at chronicsex.org and follow her on Twitter.

 

Brief history with the conditions

 

"My asthma was diagnosed in 1993 when I fell ill with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA). It has been mild for most of my life and only becomes a major issue when I'm exposed to certain triggers - especially heavy scents, cigarette smoke, and rapid temperature changes - or if I have an upper respiratory infection. Depression has been a nearly constant battle for me since childhood. I was seven the first time I began to contemplate suicide after struggling to get my SJIA diagnosed. For the bulk of my life, I assumed that death was close by. Because of that, I never really planned out a lot of my life. My husband - who also has depression - and I both struggle with planning, especially now that we're far older than the ages we assumed we'd live to be. Due to a lack of care in childhood, my depression wasn't diagnosed until I was out of college for a few years. 

 

In addition to asthma and depression, I also live with multiple chronic conditions, including: allergies, anterior basement membrane dystrophy, anxiety, chemical sensitivities, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, gluten intolerance, migraines, patellofemoral arthralgia, plaque psoriasis, PTSD, seborrheic keratosis, and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis/Still's Disease. I also struggle with a bulging disc at L5 S1, frozen shoulder, pelvic floor issues, and undiagnosed neurological issues."

Published Articles

How Should We Raise the Next Generation of Caregivers?
12 mins
article
Marc Lawrence

How Should We Raise the Next Generation of Caregivers?

The Road Less Traveled: Being a Dad with Cystic Fibrosis
5 mins
article
Tim Wotton

The Road Less Traveled: Being a Dad with Cystic Fibrosis

Hemiplegic Migraine Almost Took Over My Life - Until I Made These Lifestyle Changes
4 mins
article
Sarah Alexander-Georgeson

Hemiplegic Migraine Almost Took Over My Life - Until I Made These Lifestyle Changes

How to Accept Our Negative Emotions as Caregivers – and Why They Can Help You Heal
6 mins
article
Susanne White

How to Accept Our Negative Emotions as Caregivers – and Why They Can Help You Heal

“If You Go Down to the Woods”: 4 Ways to Deal with Fears of the Unknown Out in Nature
6 mins
article
Claire Eastham

“If You Go Down to the Woods”: 4 Ways to Deal with Fears of the Unknown Out in Nature

Getting the Most from Your Vacation when You Have Migraine
6 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Getting the Most from Your Vacation when You Have Migraine

My Husband, My Caregiver: Our Days Living with HD
7 mins
article
Sarah Foster

My Husband, My Caregiver: Our Days Living with HD

Ponytail Headaches: Is Your Hairstyle Triggering Migraine Attacks?
7 mins
article
Sarah Alexander-Georgeson

Ponytail Headaches: Is Your Hairstyle Triggering Migraine Attacks?

4 Reasons You May Over-Explain, and 7 Ways to Conquer the Habit
6 mins
article
Sarah Bailey

4 Reasons You May Over-Explain, and 7 Ways to Conquer the Habit

A Helping Paw: Searching for My Huntington's Disease Service Dog
6 mins
article
Sarah Foster

A Helping Paw: Searching for My Huntington's Disease Service Dog

From Pain to Poem: Two Poems about Living with Migraine
2 mins
article
Sarah Alexander-Georgeson

From Pain to Poem: Two Poems about Living with Migraine

"Don't Call Me Maybe": 5 Ways to Tackle Phone Anxiety
5 mins
article
Claire Eastham

"Don't Call Me Maybe": 5 Ways to Tackle Phone Anxiety

Hyperfocus: the "Superpower" with a Literal Cost
4 mins
article
Sarah Alexander-Georgeson

Hyperfocus: the "Superpower" with a Literal Cost

The Day I Rediscovered Patience as a Caregiver
4 mins
article
Susanne White

The Day I Rediscovered Patience as a Caregiver

3 Ways to Achieve a Mental Reset with Heart Failure
6 mins
article
Rob Obey

3 Ways to Achieve a Mental Reset with Heart Failure

Why I Decided to Run a Marathon with Stage 4 Cancer
3 mins
article
Sukhy Bahia

Why I Decided to Run a Marathon with Stage 4 Cancer

Connect with Kirsten Schultz