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

Gratitude isn’t Always Easy… Here’s How to Do it
3 mins
article
Bryce Evans

Gratitude isn’t Always Easy… Here’s How to Do it

This Is My Migraine Care Team
3 mins
article
Danielle Fancher

This Is My Migraine Care Team

6 Things I Wish I Could’ve Told My Teachers About My ADHD
4 mins
article
Nerris Nassiri

6 Things I Wish I Could’ve Told My Teachers About My ADHD

A Day in My Life with Asthma
5 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

A Day in My Life with Asthma

My Migraine Story Is 6 Words Long
3 mins
article
Danielle Fancher

My Migraine Story Is 6 Words Long

ADHD Makes Me Messy. I’ve Made My Peace with It
4 mins
article
René Brooks

ADHD Makes Me Messy. I’ve Made My Peace with It

My Hacks to Tackle 4 ADHD Challenges
3 mins
article
Nerris Nassiri

My Hacks to Tackle 4 ADHD Challenges

Surviving University with Asthma
6 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

Surviving University with Asthma

“Could You Not?” 6 Things Not to Say to Someone with ADHD
4 mins
article
René Brooks

“Could You Not?” 6 Things Not to Say to Someone with ADHD

5 Self-Care Practices I Do Every Day to Manage My Migraines
3 mins
article
Jaime Sanders

5 Self-Care Practices I Do Every Day to Manage My Migraines

7 Questions Everyone with COPD Should Ask After Diagnosis
4 mins
article
John Bottrell

7 Questions Everyone with COPD Should Ask After Diagnosis

8 Common Myths About COPD, Debunked
3 mins
article
John Bottrell

8 Common Myths About COPD, Debunked

Coping with Depression: 7 Tips for Those Days When You Just Can’t Win
3 mins
article
René Brooks

Coping with Depression: 7 Tips for Those Days When You Just Can’t Win

7 Tips to Avoid Summer Asthma Triggers
2 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

7 Tips to Avoid Summer Asthma Triggers

Navigating the ER with Migraine
4 mins
article
Danielle Fancher

Navigating the ER with Migraine

Strange Ways I Feel Depression
4 mins
article
René Brooks

Strange Ways I Feel Depression

Connect with Kirsten Schultz