Chronic Resilience is filled with stories from 9 amazing women. They are all coping with the same stresses that you and I do. They are also strong, resilient and completely inspiring. I’ve been introducing them here on the blog. Last week you met Sarah and Lauren. Today I’d like to introduce you to Charity (chapter 3) and Kelly (chapter 5).
Charity Tillemann-Dick
Charity was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension in her early 20s. This condition impacts a person’s ability to breathe and can eventually lead to heart failure. As Charity’s condition progressed, she endured risky medications and strict dietary guidelines all while singing opera…yes, you read that correctly, Charity is a world-class opera singer who has graced stages across Asia, Europe and North America.
Charity’s condition did eventually progress to heart failure and she required a double lung transplant to save her life. Exemplifying resilience in every sense of the word, Charity rebounded to regain her singing voice and career. This was the point that I contacted Charity about being included in the book. Between that point and our interview, Charity demonstrated just how miraculous she is. Due to chronic rejection of the first transplant, Charity underwent a second double lung transplant in January of 2012. She has overcome more odds than anyone can count to sing once again. The conversation Charity and I had made me truly believe that anything is possible…illness or not.
Check-out Charity opening the TED MED Conference:
Kelly Young
After Kelly was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) she found a lack of information, resources and conversation, so she decided to lead the way. Kelly created RA Warrior where she connects the RA community to the vital support and resources she knew were lacking. Kelly is a respected health advocate and has been featured in a variety of online and traditional media outlets. While some patients’ RA can move in cycles or go into remission at different points in time, Kelly is among the minority of patients who are in constant pain and whose symptoms don’t respond to available treatments. As a homeschooling mother of 5, Kelly has had to adjust her environment and boundaries to yield to the demands of her body. She expertly demonstrates how to trust your body and ad
just to the moment even when you wish you could do so much more. I am so honored to get to offer you Kelly’s wisdom in chapter 5.
Ready to dive into these incredible women’s stories? Get your copy of Chronic Resilience.