These Champaign-adjacent residents of Pesotum were born in Paxton (Dave) and Ivesdale (Heidi). To say this couple has been through it would be an understatement. For much of their married life, Heidi has fought to be understood, heard and taken seriously for a rare health condition which caused her misery. While Heidi fought to be heard, Dave listened, remodeled a basement, took care of the kids and worked at the Urbana Fire Department. 

 Listen as these once exhausted lovebirds tell their story of meeting in a Dallas & Co., dressing room while learning about pirate dickies! These two reclaimed their lives through therapy, new hobbies and a consistent line of communication. These tools have helped them overcome the emotional damage caused by the rare Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. This disease is caused by a severe allergic reaction. For Heidi this meant drinking water felt like gasoline going down her throat, rashes, fever, mental exhaustion and mucous membranes like eyes and cheeks "melting" or "sloughing." Heidi had to undergo a tedious process of elimination to determine her triggers as she kept undergoing allergic reactions that would land her in the hospital where many wouldn't be able to help. Homeopathy, suicidal thoughts, a self-published book, the loss of identity and ultimately the Post-it note that made Heidi feel seen, are all outlined in this mega episode. 

Emily Harrington, here! Mom, wife, retired communications liaison and host of the HyperLocal(s) Podcast. Each week I bring you a pod where townies and transplants share their tales of tears and triumphs, losses and wins. In an effort to provide a way for those that don’t want a public podcast, but still have a story to tell friends and family, I’ve created, In Retrospect: A HyperLocal(s) Project, a private podcast. Visit hyperlocalscu.com/in-retrospect

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