Chronic30: Advocating for Answers, Care & Change

Chronic30: Advocating for Answers, Care & Change A Personal Story of Navigating Chronic Illness in My 30s

Living with multiple chronic illnesses is terrifying—especially when doctors still don’t have all the answers. The uncertainty of what’s next, the grueling cycle of tests, the misdiagnoses, the fear of conditions worsening due to delayed or improper care—it’s a reality that many women, including myself, live with every single day. Yet, despite how common these struggles are, women in their 30s remain drastically underrepresented in medical research and healthcare policy, often leaving us overlooked, dismissed, and without the support we desperately need.

I created Chronic30 because women like me—women facing complex, debilitating chronic illnesses in the prime of our lives—deserve better. But right now, I need help just to survive this journey.

Why This Fundraiser Matters? 

At 33, my life was completely upended by chronic illness. Now 35, I have been diagnosed with multiple serious conditions, including:

• Crohn’s disease

• Sjögren’s syndrome with inflammatory arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Stage 2 endometriosis

• Adenomyosis

• Syncope

• Vestibular migraines

• Gait Disorder

• Fibromyalgia

• Asthma

• Chronic sinus issues

And yet, my journey isn’t over. I am still in the middle of ongoing testing and treatments, trying to get to the bottom of what is happening to my body. Every step forward comes with a financial burden that feels impossible to bear alone.

Navigating the Disability Process | I have applied for disability benefits, but the process is long and uncertain. In Texas, the average wait time for a decision is over 400 days, and the approval odds are discouraging—nearly 70% of initial applications are denied (Social Security Administration, 2023). As a single woman in my 30s, securing government assistance is particularly challenging. Many chronic illnesses, though debilitating, do not fit the rigid criteria for immediate approval, leaving me in a financial limbo while struggling with severe health conditions.

What This Fund Will Cover | To continue my medical care and establish Chronic30 as a resource for other women like me, I am setting an initial fundraising goal of $50,000, which will help cover:

• Medical expenses and essential treatments

• Housing and basic living costs while navigating illnesses

• The foundation of Chronic30, creating a long-term platform to support women facing similar struggles

• Mental health support and advocacy for those with multiple chronic conditions

Your support—whether through donations, sharing this campaign, or purchasing Chronic30 merchandise—fuels a movement dedicated to empowering women facing these challenges.

Support Through Shopping | In addition to donating, you can support Chronic30 by purchasing merchandise designed to spread awareness and advocacy for chronic illness. Every purchase contributes directly to medical expenses and the development of resources for women navigating these conditions. Visit the Chronic30 Shop (coming soon) to explore our collection and wear your support proudly.

Chronic30: A Mission Rooted in Resilience & Community | This isn’t just about me. Chronic30 is about building a future where no woman in her 30s has to face these battles alone.

• Raising Awareness: Chronic illnesses in women are under-researched and underfunded. More representation means better care, earlier diagnoses, and improved treatment options.

• Creating a Community: Chronic30’s Instagram and online platforms provide a space for women in their 30s to connect, share experiences, and support each other.

• Providing Resources: From educational guides to financial assistance programs, the long-term goal is to create tangible solutions for women struggling with chronic illness.

• Advocating for Change: Women need better healthcare policies, disability support, and medical research that represents our needs.

How You Can Help | This is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a movement for survival, awareness, and change.

• Donate what you can. Every dollar makes a difference.

• Share this campaign to help spread awareness.

• Follow ChronicThirty on Instagram and support the growing community.

• Visit my blog and YouTube channel, UncommonTwoSense, (coming soon) to follow my journey.

• Shop Chronic30 merchandise to support and spread awareness. (coming soon)

Together, we can create a future where chronic illness doesn’t mean living in fear, isolation, or financial ruin. Thank you for being part of this movement. Your support means everything.