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

4 Everyday Behaviors that Made My Depression Worse
4 mins
article
Bryce Evans

4 Everyday Behaviors that Made My Depression Worse

I’m a Mom with Migraine: How I Make It Work
4 mins
article
Sarah Rathsack

I’m a Mom with Migraine: How I Make It Work

Managing Asthma Through Lifestyle Changes — Without Losing Your Lifestyle
4 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

Managing Asthma Through Lifestyle Changes — Without Losing Your Lifestyle

How Managing My ADHD Led to My Mom's Diagnosis
3 mins 7 secs
video
René Brooks

How Managing My ADHD Led to My Mom's Diagnosis

4 Winter Asthma Triggers and How to Avoid Them
3 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

4 Winter Asthma Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Supporting Someone with Depression: Our Stories in Pictures
5 mins
article
Bryce Evans

Supporting Someone with Depression: Our Stories in Pictures

Will My Kids Have Asthma? How I Manage the Uncertainty
3 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

Will My Kids Have Asthma? How I Manage the Uncertainty

4 Ways I Hide My Depression
3 mins
article
René Brooks

4 Ways I Hide My Depression

7 Ways to Distinguish Between Depression and Sadness
4 mins
article
Jonathan Rottenberg

7 Ways to Distinguish Between Depression and Sadness

Goal Setting with ADHD: How I Make Them Stick
5 mins
article
Terry Matlen

Goal Setting with ADHD: How I Make Them Stick

How Losing Weight Improved My Asthma Symptoms
3 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

How Losing Weight Improved My Asthma Symptoms

8 Things I Wish People Knew About ADHD
3 mins
article
Nerris Nassiri

8 Things I Wish People Knew About ADHD

My Life with Migraine in 4 Images
3 mins
article
Jaime Sanders

My Life with Migraine in 4 Images

7 Ways I Cope with Low Energy in Depression
5 mins
article
Jaime Sanders

7 Ways I Cope with Low Energy in Depression

Migraine and Sensory Overload: Tips to Cope
5 mins
article
Jaime Sanders

Migraine and Sensory Overload: Tips to Cope

8 Tips for Talking About Asthma with Others
4 mins
article
Michelle Rivas

8 Tips for Talking About Asthma with Others

Connect with Kirsten Schultz