{"id":3623,"date":"2020-11-06T23:40:01","date_gmt":"2020-11-07T04:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/?p=3623"},"modified":"2021-09-27T23:49:17","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T03:49:17","slug":"my-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/2020\/11\/06\/my-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"My Normal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1369661812\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"row row-collapse\"  id=\"row-1721913361\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1830891716\" class=\"col small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1638044671\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner image-cover dark\" style=\"padding-top:75%;\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"779\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-779x800.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-779x800.jpg 779w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-389x400.jpg 389w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-768x789.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-1495x1536.jpg 1495w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1-510x524.jpg 510w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_0319-1.jpg 1579w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 779px) 100vw, 779px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1638044671 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3358620822\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><strong>Kaila showing off her beautiful creation.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3358620822 {\n  font-size: 0.85rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-470721364\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-470721364 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<p class=\"lead\">If you had asked me what I imagined high school to be like when I was a kid, my answer would not even come close to matching my reality.<\/p>\n<p>As high school began, I looked to fit in with my peers. Of course that\u2019s the goal of every teen, to just be normal. Little did I know as I walked through the halls in 8th grade before the big transition, it would become one of the only normal things I did. Now that I\u2019m officially a graduate, I can see just how different my high school experience was. Those differences are attributed to one thing and one thing only: chronic illness.<\/p>\n\t<div id=\"gap-1704905762\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1704905762 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_694352227\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner image-cover dark\" style=\"padding-top:75%;\">\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-1200x800.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_1164-2048x1365-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_694352227 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-2724564641\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><strong>Kaila and her mom at the Center.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-2724564641 {\n  font-size: 0.85rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-411260401\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-411260401 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<p>Everything started for me with the hardest symptom for doctors to treat- pain. In middle school, my hands hurt all the time, my fingers contracted, and I was constantly exhausted. I confused every doctor I saw, so naturally as a pre-teen it was assumed that I was probably making everything up for attention. Little did I know, that would be the start of many frustrating doctors appointments and lots of medical uncertainty that I still face today.<\/p>\n<p>In 2018, my sophomore year of high school, after years of pain, I got a diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Two years later my health has continued to decline. My hope of normal has dwindled down even further. Since my diagnosis 2 years ago I have burned through 6 traditional arthritis medications without any avail. Today my health is one big question mark, leaving doctors\u2019 to speculate about a possible misdiagnosis. No matter what medical terminology my doctors\u2019 come up with to describe my pain, there is no doctor who would disagree with the fact that I am immunocompromised and chronically ill.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe thing about chronic illness is that it makes you stand out.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The thing about chronic illness is that it makes you stand out. From missing weeks of school at a time, to relying on crutches or a mobility aid to make it through the day; I\u2019ve never blended in throughout high school. I became even more noticeably abnormal when a side effect of my arthritis medication made me lose my hair. Chronic illness made me different, I didn\u2019t fit in. Worse than taking away my ability to be a teen, it makes me seem like I am exaggerating everything. Like it is impossible for me to be in pain 24\/7. It is unfair that it takes me twice as much energy to accomplish half as much as my peers.<\/p>\n\t<div id=\"gap-1859964647\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1859964647 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1061638839\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"727\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_2535.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_2535.jpg 727w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_2535-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_2535-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1061638839 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-392232147\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><strong>Kaila and a teen group hanging out at the Center.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-392232147 {\n  font-size: 0.85rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1625649394\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1625649394 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<blockquote><p>\u201cI can\u2019t say that I have overcome my illness, but I can say that I\u2019ve found a place that makes life with a chronic illness more manageable: the Children\u2019s Healing Center.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Now, if my life was an inspirational movie, some dramatic music would play as I told you about how I overcame my illness, and the whole process made me live a more fulfilling life. But this is real life. I can\u2019t say that I have overcome my illness, but I can say that I\u2019ve found a place that makes life with a chronic illness more manageable. When I was first introduced to the Children\u2019s Healing Center, I was wary of looking at it, but my mom set up a tour so I was going. I walked in and immediately felt comfortable. The Center quickly became a place where I was able to be myself in every way. It was the first place I couldn\u2019t be singled out as different. The first place where it doesn\u2019t matter what is wrong with me. It is just about having fun and doing teen things in a place where I don\u2019t have to worry about getting sick. Most importantly at the Center I can feel like I am just myself, and I don\u2019t feel guilty for not being able to do something. There is no judgement on anyone for what they are able, or not able to do. The amazing thing is that everyone there has a medical condition hiding behind their smile, but they are treated as any other person. My favorite place to spend time in the Center is the art room, by far. I\u2019ve always enjoyed art, and at the Center there are endless options to be creative in the art zone.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cChronic illness took away my ability to live normally, but the Center gave it back.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\t<div id=\"gap-171295440\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-171295440 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_423378543\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-1200x800.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2021\/09\/IMG_8789-2048x1365-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_423378543 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1488022021\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><strong>Kaila and another member in the Center\u2019s art zone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1488022021 {\n  font-size: 0.85rem;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-88557978\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-88557978 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<p>Chronic illness took away my ability to live normally, but the Center gave it back. Before COVID-19, I wore a mask to avoid getting sick. Even though they are normal now, they weren\u2019t normal before March 2020. The Center provided a place to not need a mask and interact with other teens. Being a teenager is hard for anyone, but adding in a complex medical journey, and any sense of normalcy is taken away. When your whole life is going between the hospital and home for appointments, testing, and ER trips- you lose a piece of yourself. Before the Center I had lost myself and I was being defined by my diagnoses or symptoms. The Center is a shining reminder that I\u2019m not just sick, I\u2019m human too. I am beyond excited every time I see a Teen\/Tween night, because I know it\u2019s going to be filled with laughter, smiles, and friends. There\u2019s never a shortage of smiling faces at the Center. It is truly just a break from the medical system, and a place to finally be normal and have some fun!<\/p>\n<h1>Kaila DeVries<\/h1>\n<h6>Center Member<\/h6>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1369661812 {\n  padding-top: 15px;\n  padding-bottom: 15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you had asked me what I imagined high school to be like when I was a kid, my answer would not even come close to matching my reality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-storybook","category-member-stories"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3623"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3631,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3623\/revisions\/3631"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/childrenshealing.org\/beta\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}