Kim Tocker,  —

I’m 49 and live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I was diagnosed with Limited Systemic Scleroderma in 2013, and the disease has slowly progressed over the past three years. Prior to my diagnosis, I worked as a Counsellor/Therapist in private practice, however I was forced to close my practice in 2014 because the fatigue associated with the disease had become profound. Well before I studied, trained and worked as a Counsellor many years ago (at least 20) I was employed as a Dental Assistant. It is my belief that whilst working in this capacity I handled a number of chemicals that are now considered dangerous and this exposure may have been the trigger for my disease, together with an already existing genetic component. These days, my full time job is to work hard at my self-care and manage my symptoms as best I can. Part of this management is to reflect on and write about my experiences about living with Scleroderma in ordinary day to day life. This helps me a great deal, and I hope it helps my readers, both those who also suffer with Scleroderma, and to help raise awareness in those who do not. I enjoy adding a little humour to my writing, because honestly, I feel it’s important we all have a wee laugh from time to time. However, my writing usually includes a serious reflection of some sort. On a personal note, I am the wife of one, and the Mother of three boys. My husband Max is my main caregiver, and I am very fortunate to have such a loving and giving spouse. My children are aged 21, 19 and 13, and our two oldest boys live in different parts of New Zealand to study and work. Our youngest will be starting High School in 2017. We live with a menagerie of animals, including two dogs and four cats.

Articles by Kim Tocker

February 27, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

Is Having Fun with Scleroderma Possible?

Those with scleroderma will tell you that the disease is many things, but fun is certainly not one of them. Lately, I have been struggling with the effects of medication changes to address my secondary adrenal insufficiency. Weaning off hydrocortisone is part of…

February 13, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

Appreciating the Dark and Light Sides of My Life

Living with scleroderma means I need to make many important decisions to function, from treatment options to whether I’m well enough to get out of bed. Choices, choices, so many choices. It’s a miracle I get through so many on any given day. I…

February 6, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

My Social Dilemma: When Illness Hogs the Conversation

All those with chronic illness, and particularly those with invisible disabilities including my fellow scleroderma warriors, will know that to be able to attend important social occasions we have many considerations. Practical issues, such as parking, seating, and lift access, need to…

January 30, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

The Job Description of a Full-time Patient

One of the most devastating ways that having scleroderma has changed my life is that I have had to stop working. Pain and profound fatigue required me to close my successful counseling practice. It was an extremely difficult decision, and one I didn’t take…

January 16, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

Would the Real Lucifer Please Stand Up?

Living with scleroderma has been interesting lately, to say the least. Expletives, curses, profanities, call them what you will … my week has been full of them, right to the brim! I’ve been so full of nastiness that it has been overflowing from my mouth at any…

January 9, 2018 Columns by Kim Tocker

Refining the Art of Survival

Again on this New Year’s Eve, I found myself with the same thought as every other year: “Well, I survived another year living with scleroderma. I wonder how the next one will go.” I am certain that living with chronic…

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