My Story

Hi, I’m Marina! If you’re here, chances are that you’re carrying something heavy: a chronic illness, persistent pain, or a life that feels hijacked by health challenges. I get it, because I’m a chronic illness spoonie, just like you...

For much of my life, I wasn't sitting in the professional's chair - I was sitting in waiting rooms as the patient.

At sixteen years old, I became severely ill and diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 2, one of the most painful chronic condition known to medicine. Doctors told me I’d never walk again, and for years, I believed them.

My world was instantly flooded with doctors, specialists, medications, therapies, procedures, and the overwhelming uncertainty that came with trying to build a life in a body that no longer felt like my own.

For many years, I relied on a wheelchair to get around as I was eventually paralysed from my waist down. Pain and fatigue dictated my decisions. And I felt so isolated, misunderstood, and deeply disconnected from life.

Some throwback wheelchair pictures. I don't have many because I felt so uncomfortable with the way I looked then.

Doing an experimental 5 day Ketamine infusion back in 2011 with the hopes of bringing my pain levels down.

One of my favourite cosy spots was always in the armchair with my dogs after my fibromyalgia and Lupus diagnosis.

So, like many people living with chronic illness, I quickly realised that this kind of diagnosis was about so much more than just managing my body. The biggest adjustment actually came from trying to understanding how the illness had affected my identity, my relationships, my confidence, my career, my sense of safety, and often... my hope.

There's no "I hope you feel better soon" comment that lands if you have no clue what the benchmark for "better" is anymore.

But the journey wasn't done here. Over the last two decades (give or take), I've hit many highs and lows as I've tried to heal. I have been diagnosed with Lupus (SLE), fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome. Raynaud's phenomenon, chronic migraines, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and had a cervical cancer scare.

However, my I failed to believe that my happiness had to be directly correlated to my health. So I persisted in my quest to rebuild my life through consistent medical care, psychological support, lifestyle changes, and an unwavering (almost annoying) commitment to my own wellbeing.

Two days after having my life saved at the ER after several febrile seizures. My inflammatory markers were over 1000 that night!

Guiding some gentle yoga in the park with a about 100 people learning to tune into their bodies - awesome experience!

Talking about stress, burnout, health and chronic illness for International Women's Day.

Today, I ...

Walk without any aids (my crutch sits by my door just in case of a bad day).
Run my own business as a chronic illness and pain management coach.
Study and am completing my training as a Registered Counsellor with the HPCSA.
Practice a lot of yoga and even completed my teacher training.

I really don't feel like my story is one of miracle cures or perfect healing - I still flare and have bad days.

This is more a story of adaptation, growth, and learning how to build a meaningful life alongside uncertainty. And that is what I am here to share.