Birth of the Chronic Illness Doula
I just turned 18 years old, staring up at my ceiling, lying in bed sick yet again…with what I now know to be the first of many autoimmune conditions I would be diagnosed with. At that age, I didn’t have the self-awareness of my body’s limitations and capacity. I didn’t have a solid sense of who I was or who I wanted to be. I was lost, trying to fill the void with anything to avoid confronting my reality. Soon after, my sister took me to my first acupuncture treatment ever. Boom. Sparkles. Confetti. Fireworks. I felt the first spark of a passion for all things East Asian Medicine–a philosophy that emphasized healing not just the physical body but also the mind, heart, and spirit in connection with the world and nature. In the ten-ish years following, I became a massage therapist and eventually a practicing acupuncturist. I spent years learning from mistakes, celebrating wins, and embracing the unknown. For me, needles represented hope.
At 27 years old, life came full circle as I was now the one holding the needle instead of being needled. However, life had more lessons in store. In the summer of 2022, I reached my peak—diagnosed with three autoimmune conditions (a fourth one suspected) and the very grim realization that I may never again be able to comfortably grasp a needle or hold a person’s head in my hands without pain due to arthritis wreaking havoc on my system. I needed to pause and reassess my life, as I grappled with learning how to use a cane to walk and dealing with debilitating invisible illnesses like vertigo, widespread body inflammation, and brain fog so intense I couldn’t remember words, let alone speak to others—I was forced to give up my apartment, my livelihood, my security, and my independence. Needles became a symbol for everything I lost.
Fast forward several years to today and with the kindness and support of a community of practitioners, friends, family, and my own inner strength, my current self is…content. With the help of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, East Asian dietary medicine, customized herbal formulas, movement practices and lifestyle changes, I feel more equipped to handle life’s many challenges. Even after developing a newfound love for lifting super heavy things—hello deadlift PR— I still have my flares, my cane ready when needed, and my days lying in bed. I dearly miss those cheat days for pizza because, no matter what anyone says, non-dairy cheese is just not cheese, but I have built systems around support and acceptance. I have come to realize needles were just one tool among many lessons I had learned along the way.
The Chronic Illness Doula emerged from the synthesis of my East Asian Medicine practice and my desire to connect people with the healing power of their own inner wisdom. East Asian Medicine is a lifestyle I live and a philosophy that I (attempt to) embody in my day-to-day living. I know what it feels like to lose the sense of who you are, so helping others to build systems customized to their needs and making peace with their new normal is so important. I hope to give people the same level of hope that both needles and other wellness modalities gave me.
29 year old Celine: One of the first hikes through nature without mobility aids
As your Chronic Illness Doula and a fellow chronic illness warrior, I guide you in reclaiming agency over your life as you navigate your chronic illness using a disability justice centered approach to coaching. In this program, you will learn how to find joy and pleasure at different ability levels by recognizing your adaptability and resilience. My program spans six months (or a customizable duration discussed in a discovery call), featuring two online 75-minute sessions every month. More details are available at this link.
Thrive with your illness and cultivate growth in heart and mind. Embrace the unknown; growth happens outside of comfort. Book a free discovery call link to determine if I'm the right fit for you.