10 People With Chronic Illness You Should Follow on TikTok

It’s widely understood that chronic illness can feel like an isolating experience, so it’s only natural to find comfort in those who openly talk about it. There are of course many ways to do this (including on The Mighty!), but TikTok has become a hot commodity.

When quarantine began last spring, TikTok seemed to blossom into an interactive space for all creators, and subsequently consumers, of these short videos. This social media outlet — the reincarnation of Vine, if you will — has enabled us to stay connected, entertained and informed throughout these uncertain times. That includes the chronic illness community. Many creators have chosen to educate others and make funny videos about their chronic illness journeys.

If you want to jump in but aren’t sure where to start, we have you covered. Here are 10 people with chronic illnesses you should check out on TikTok.

1. Grace Marner (@gracemarner)

Grace Marner is a journalist in England, and she is definitely not shy about sharing her experiences with chronic illness. She is diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and gives an overview about the condition itself. However, most of her recent content focuses on some of the effects EDS has on her body — specifically how it impacts her bowels. While this can be an embarrassing topic for some, Marner has no shame talking about it!

@gracemarnerReply to @aivilo1110♬ original sound – Grace Marner

2. Liza (@lizalovesavocados)

Liza is 17 years old and lives with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). As she grew up, she had different fractures and other complications that triggered the CRPS. She still lives with this disorder, and she uses TikTok’s platform to open up about her experience to others.

@lizalovesavocadosSending love to crps fighters today ???? #crps #pain #TFBornThisWay #chronicillness #spoonie #fürdich #fypdoesntwork♬ Home – Edith Whiskers

3. Jordan Asbee (@jordan.asbee)

If you struggle with several chronic illnesses you should follow Jordan Asbee. Asbee lives with many conditions including gastroparesis, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and many others. Many of her recent videos depict her life with a feeding tube and stays in the hospital for her gastroparesis. Asbee is candid about her experiences and gives insight into her daily life.

@jordan.asbeeReply to @jenniferlanphear drop more question below!❤️ #jordansjourney #Christmas2020 #fyp #foryoupage #medical #hospital #feedingtube #2020♬ original sound – Jordan Asbee

4. Madison Bernard (@madisonbernardd)

Chronic illness isn’t easy to live with, but Madison Bernard uses her better days to dance and have a little fun. Bernard lives with median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) and gives glimpses into her life through recovery and treatment, and she manages to smile and make fun, educational content.

@madisonbernarddgotta show off that MALS scar and gj tube⭐️ all my tubies use the #tubiepositivity hashtag! #mals #gjtube #positivity #behappy #CleanTok♬ thank you guys so much for using this sound – Leyna

5. Grace Marsh (@gracemarshx)

If you like learning about how others manage their illnesses/disabilities and how they educate “trolls,” Grace Marsh is a wonderful person to follow. Marsh is blind, lives with a feeding tube for her gastroparesis, and is open about her other conditions like bladder issues. Many people would shy away from confronting others that invalidate the disability community, but Marsh does a fantastic job at subtly educating those individuals — with a little sarcasm, of course.

@gracemarshxReply to @tonysboysr2 #edutok #fyp #foryoupage #blind #disabled #disability #xyzbca #viral #educate #education♬ original sound – gracie

6. Haley Elmhorst (@haleyslifethroughalens)

Learning about different aspects of your diagnosis can be important and interesting, even if you don’t have the same treatment as someone else. Haley Elmhorst lives with POTS, in addition to another form of dysautonomia, and she takes her viewers through life with a port for fluid intake. She also makes other fun, health-related content.

@haleyslifethroughalens#pots #chronicillness #port #fyp #foryou #foryoupage♬ The Journey – Sol Rising

7. Emily (@mysticalanimallover)

Being blunt about chronic illness can be difficult for many of us, but Emily is not afraid to vocalize how she feels. She lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and uses TikTok to educate others, give some tips, and be frank with those that are, let’s say, not understanding of chronic illness.

@mysticalanimallover(old video) Food for thought #hiddendisabilities #fup #chronicillnesshypehouse #spoonie #eds  ♬ original sound – MysticalAnimalLover

8. Bee Lynn (@beelynnyc)

Life with chronic illness is definitely frustrating at times, and sometimes you need to vent! Bee Lynn is all about this concept. They aren’t afraid to voice their opinion and rant a bit about their experience with endometriosis and the intersection between mental and chronic illness.

@beelynnnycMed Advocate Rant (2) Mental Health Is Not Allowed With Physical Illness #endometriosis #chronicpain #chronicillness #disabled #medtok♬ Emotional Piano Instrumental In E Minor – Tom Bailey Backing Tracks

9. Aaryanna (@extraordinaary_)

While a large portion of Aaryanna’s content is dedicated to mental health, she does talk periodically about her experience with an undiagnosed heart condition. Many of her videos are lighter, which can be a nice break from the serious side of chronic illness; and she shows a bit of her Indian heritage with the world. On top of this, we see bits of her life with her adorable service dog.

@extraordinaary_They do be feeling like incoherent noises too #accentchallenge #fyp #fy #foryoupage #foryou♬ original sound – drip gang kodak

10. Jax Denney (@denneysgrandslam)

Humor can go a long way when you live with any condition, and Jax Denney like to have a little fun. Denney, now 23, began noticing changes in her jaw structure when her top and bottom sets of teeth stopped touching. She was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic condylar resorption, a condition that affects the joints that connect your jaw to your skull. Through TikTok, she documented her journey through jaw surgery. Her positivity and humor is pretty contagious.

@denneysgrandslamReply to @c_kevin_28 repost duet w @melissavogt3 — seems like an even better time to explain what’s happening in less than 3 weeks (my xray on bottom)♬ Intentions (Instrumental Version) [Originally Performed by Justin Bieber & Quavo] – Elliot Van Coup

What other TikTok accounts would you add to this list?