Hilltransport
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> awareness month. I found myself reflecting on my life circumstances with this disease and I am here to share with you all :) My personal experience.
I was officially diagnosed with scleroderma three months ago. I started going to doctors visits for it due to unmanageable symptoms in 2024. I am honestly very lucky because I became aware of the disease at a very early stage, and having early medical intervention can be life saving for a life changing disease such as this.
A free clinic is what initially took my case serious enough to get me to this diagnosis, which is why social programs and free healthcare is something I feel very strongly about. If I didn't have access to that clinic, I may not have gotten the diagnosis until much later in my life.
Scleroderma is a rare rheumatic disease that affects connective tissue and the vascular system producing excessive collagen that causes fibrosis in the skin (localized) or in internal organs (systemic sclerosis). The result can be disfigurement and disability, and for some it’s life-threatening. The cause is unknown and there is no cure.
Some symptoms I have personally experienced, which led me to my diagnosis, include:
Reynaud’s phenomena (blue/red/white extremities like fingertips or my nose especially)
Arthritis/joint issues/mobility issues
Swelling
Contact dermatitis
Extreme fatigue
Chest pain
GI issues
Dry eyes
This is a rare autoimmune disease that is life changing to most people experiencing it. The disease was caught early for me, however, I am still burdened by life changes and tons of medical debt. Before being on medication every day was more of a hit or miss on how much bodily pain I would experience, and it was a lot harder to get content created or to feel sexual in general.
I am on a medication called hydroxychloroquine now that has been managing that pain a lot. Although the medication comes with its own unique side effects. People with more progressed disease may be advised to take some forms of immunosuppressants, some get daily IV treatments to help with symptoms, and many have to change their whole lifestyle to cope. I personally have issues with eating certain foods and drinking- but I am bad about not taking these issues seriously enough.
I am very grateful. I started camming six years ago and taking my online work so seriously to the point I’ve gotten to today. I grew up in a really poor family, started waiting tables when I was twelve years old, and I worked two jobs by the time I was seventeen. Needless to say, work ethic was nothing I ever struggled with. But being in a position where you’re getting to your late twenties, starting to plan next chapters of your life, and then, suddenly, your body just isn’t the same as it used to be anymore—to the point that is unnaturally affecting your quality of life—that is hard for someone that has only ever worked jobs relying on their physical labor.
For better or for worse, since I was raised with a definite toxic work ethic, I would create videos, cam, and dance while working any other “vanilla” jobs I held, and I took it seriously enough to the point that it was always my intention online work would become my main source of income.
I originally wanted my online work to replace my main source of income because I simply liked the job. I liked how creative I could be. I liked how insane I could act in customs. I liked being my own employer and I liked being able to work unusual hours. In my head, I knew I would want a more flexible schedule when I got to the stage in my life where I would create a family, and I wanted a job that would support that sense of community I always wanted in my life.
I also draw full time and sell at conventions, for these same reasons and goals. I never would have thought these long term, slow burn, career plans would also become my economic protection for when I started symptoms of scleroderma. This is a very lucky position for me to be in, because it took me 6+ years to get the amount of economic freedom I have from this job now. It would not be nearly as accessible to start/transfer career paths had I not already built it up.
So, I want to show a more intimate side for the appreciation I have towards kink. There’s reasons I express a lot for why I love my job, but ultimately, in light of scleroderma awareness month. This job could be no less helpful than the opportunity it has given me in this new chapter of my life. So I wanted to give a heartfelt thank you to any buyers I’ve had that are patient, thoughtful, and down with the get down with my weird antics!
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