Looking back through the history of her medical challenges, it becomes painfully obvious that Tayler was born with the connective tissue disease EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). Unfortunately, the lack of quality healthcare in her youth prevented this diagnosis for many years. She struggled physically throughout childhood, often being accused of laziness or being unwilling to participate, when in fact physical activity was more difficult, painful and dangerous for her than for her peers. Medical challenges often made her stand out, like her time spent in a back brace for scoliosis or her runaway heart rate in health class that led to a POTS diagnosis (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) at 15 years old. Her EDS was constantly manifesting, screaming to be acknowledged, but doctor after doctor refused to take Tayler's complaints seriously.

In this episode of the Major Pain podcast Tayler shares her remarkable health journey with us, eventually coalescing around her EDS diagnosis. The tumultuous road she has traveled includes many unexpected diagnostic detours, like septic arthritis, congenital muscular torticollis, visceroptosis, MALS and more, all conditions she teaches us about during this conversation. In the past year her GI issues have necessitated transitioning to an ostomy bag, and the ileostomy surgery led to unexpected complications that she will also share. Tayler found a creative outlet in crafting custom ostomy bags (found on her Etsy store). Since her ostomy bag gave her a second chance at living more fully, she likes to craft these bags out of second-hand materials found at thrift stores. Her experiences have given her a passion for helping others, working as a sign language interpreter and disability advocate.

Check out Tayler's amazing projects or connect with her online: https://linktr.ee/distaaybled

PlayWatch the episode on YouTube, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.