April 1, 2023
In this compelling memoir, debut author and cartoonist Graybeal writes about her life living with chronic pain and her childhood diagnosis of the rare genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Coming to terms with her condition, she also found herself at age 10 with no treatment options, a lack of parental support from divorced parents, and the struggle to adapt and live in a world that does not accommodate her needs. The book details her time living in Canada with her wife, her wife's own mysterious health issues, and the author learning many years later about health options that were available to help her. Throughout the book, Graybeal weaves her story by alternating back and forth between the times of her childhood and her adulthood, which builds a sense of intrigue about events that are mentioned or foreshadowed and then revisited later. VERDICT This book is recommended for those interested in memoirs, connective tissue and cell disorders, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and also for people living with disabilities.--Bridgette Whitt
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May 1, 2023
Growing up, Alyssa Graybeal was convinced the world would end in 2012. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at age 10, she also knew her body would deteriorate over time; EDS could even cause her heart to explode. In comparison, the world ending doesn't sound so bad. "The apocalypse would get me before I degenerated," she writes. In her candid debut memoir, Graybeal reflects on her journey with a chronic illness she did not always fully understand. Alternating between childhood and young adulthood, her honest and sometimes raw recollections of her experiences are colored with the constant aches, pains, and injuries she incurs from everyday activities, like walking downstairs. It is only in her thirties that Graybeal seeks out testing and treatment, learning that there are ways to manage her condition. This is not a tidy story, but in its messiness, Graybeal's book reflects the complexity of life with EDS. Those coming to terms with their own chronic illness or that of a loved one will find this unflinching memoir illuminating.
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