Spreading the POTSitivity: Embracing Life's Unexpected Turns

I never imagined that a life-altering illness would weave itself into my story. In the beginning, I was just a passionate preschool and TK teacher, thrilled to watch my students grow day by day. I loved being in the classroom—colorful bulletin boards, tiny voices asking big questions, and the promise that each morning brought. But my life changed drastically when I began falling ill more often than usual. I kept getting sick from my students and always dismissed it as just part of working with little ones. Then I caught COVID, and I never fully recovered. 

My body started sending frantic signals: a racing heart, dizziness, tremors, and an all-encompassing fatigue. Sometimes, my heart would beat nearly two hundred beats per minute while walking around my classroom. My shortness of breath could be dismissed as asthma, I told myself. But deep down, I knew something bigger was going on. The chronic neck and back pain, paired with my growing anxiety about my health, made it nearly impossible to keep up with the demands of teaching. Still, I pushed through each day—until I couldn’t anymore. 

Leaving my students in the middle of the school year was heartbreaking. Teaching had felt like my calling, and the decision tore at me. But my body simply wasn’t cooperating. Visits to urgent care became routine; I’d show up, and the nurses would greet me by name. My heart would pound not just from my physical symptoms but from the frustration of being brushed off by doctors. Many suggested it was just anxiety despite the overwhelming evidence that something else was happening inside me. 

During this same period, I was part of the Miss Tustin Court—a role that allowed me to serve the community, which I truly love. But attending events was often an ordeal. Outdoor appearances, especially in the heat, meant dealing with a pounding heart, dizziness, and overwhelming exhaustion. I forced myself to push through, unwilling to give up on something meaningful to me, all the while questioning how on earth I could continue down this path. 

A breakthrough came when a physical therapist suggested I might have POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), pointing out that I’m also hypermobile. Everything started clicking into place once I researched Dysautonomia. I finally had the words for what I had been experiencing: my body’s autonomic system was out of sync. After a Tilt Table Test confirmed POTS and Vasovagal Syncope and a rheumatologist diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, I felt a simultaneous wave of relief and fear. At least I wasn’t imagining things—my concerns were valid. But what now? 

I wondered what my future would look like if I could no longer teach. After a lot of soul-searching, I decided to apply to the MSA program at Chapman University. I was elated when not only Chapman but also UC Irvine offered acceptance. Ultimately, I chose Chapman, diving into a new path I never saw coming. I also decided to compete again for Miss Tustin, raising awareness for POTS and other chronic illnesses through my platform, “Spreading POTSitivity.” Miraculously, I made the court once more, and every event I attend gives me a chance to educate people about invisible illnesses. 

I’m now almost halfway through my master’s program. I use accommodations that help me succeed academically, like extra time, breaks between classes, and the support of understanding professors. Earlier, I landed a tax internship- a dream come true—but a serious flare-up forced me to step down. My condition became so debilitating at one point that I relied on a wheelchair for mobility. Through it all, my amazing fiancé and my two energetic dogs—a loving Aussie and a spirited Border Collie—have kept me going. Their warmth and constant support remind me that I’m not alone on this journey. Every day, I’m learning more about pacing: knowing when to rest, how to gently exercise without pushing myself too far, and how vital it is to nourish both my body and spirit. It hasn’t been easy—I’ve dealt with self-doubt, fear, and the lingering ache of having left teaching. Yet, discovering new passions and forging a life that accommodates my health has brought me a sense of purpose I never thought I’d find again. 

If there’s one thing I want others to know, it’s this: You are not defined by what your body can or cannot do on a given day. Though chronic illness has reshaped my life, it hasn’t diminished my drive to make a difference. Whether I’m volunteering in my community, advancing my education, or simply taking a gentle walk with my dogs, I carry the message that hope and perseverance matter. My journey with POTS is far from over, but I’m determined to keep advocating, keep learning, and keep sharing my story, one step—and sometimes one rest—at a time.