Jessica Massengale,  —

I have been blessed with twenty-nine years of life on this Earth, ten of those which have been compromised by a rare autoimmune disease called scleroderma. It has always been a mission in my heart to bridge this gap between the healthy and sick. I'm going to teach the world life lessons that can apply to anyone while also raising awareness about scleroderma. It's a win-win!

Articles by Jessica Massengale

The Importance of Bonding Through Chronic Illness

Social interaction is necessary, for most of us, to thrive in life. From childhood on, many bonds are formed in school, church, a workplace or social gatherings. Strong connections are forged from similar personality traits and common interests. As time passes, a flower of friendship is watered with good…

How to Nurture Your Confidence

Confidence is defined as a feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of their own abilities or qualities. It’s a bright light that shines from within and warms others within your presence. But when your confidence becomes compromised due to unforeseen events, it can be hard to…

How Do Children Perceive the Disabled?

Children have a keen sense of awareness and understanding when it comes to those with a disability. They learn quickly, adapt to most situations, are not judgmental, and are openly willing to help those in need. Sometimes they say or do just the right thing to brighten up…

3 Moments When Scleroderma Broke Me

As I’ve adapted to a life of chronic illness, key moments have broken my soul. These moments have refocused my view about life by pushing me past the definition of “normal” life circumstances. Scleroderma is constantly re-carving my comfort zone and placing me in situations that strengthen my emotional…

Why Are Scleroderma Patients so Stubborn?

A kaleidoscope of thoughts pass through our minds every second of the day. The unpredictable nature of a disease can change the way we think, rewiring our emotions and feelings in the process. A person with a chronic illness can feel alive and well one day, and…

What It Feels Like to Look Rare

According to the Census Bureau, about 30 million people in the United States walk with a cane, crutch, or wheelchair. What do you do when you see someone with a visible problem? Your eyes are immediately drawn to the source, to whatever’s disturbing the “normal” flow of…