10 Awesome Instagram Accounts By and For People With Chronic Illness
Facebook can be great for keeping up with friends and family, but Instagram is the place many people with chronic illnesses turn to for support from fellow spoonies. Whether you’re looking for funny memes, reviews of treatments and products, or others who are going through similar health challenges, there’s likely an account for you, and the comment threads are likely filled with others looking for support just like you.
We rounded up 10 of our favorite Instagram accounts run by people with chronic illnesses, for people with chronic illnesses. Did we miss your favorite, or do you want to share your Instagram handle with the community? Comment below with the Instagram accounts you’d add to this list.
1. The Tube Fed Wife
Mighty contributor, motivational speaker and Seattle “cat mom” Chanel White, aka The Tube Fed Wife, shares the ups and downs of her life with scleroderma, for which she recently underwent a stem cell transplant. She takes followers inside the reality of her medications, symptoms, doctor’s appointments, and even her spoonie fashion.
2. Gutless and Glamorous
Gaylyn Henderson calls herself “gutless and glamorous” after getting an ileostomy due to Crohn’s disease. She proudly bares her stomach and ostomy bag on Instagram to promote body positivity and encourage others who live with health struggles.
3. The Hurt Blogger
As The Hurt Blogger, Britt Johnson advocates for patients with chronic pain and illness and shares her experiences with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and Behcet’s disease.
4. Suffering the Silence
Suffering the Silence is a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of chronic illness and disability through art, media and storytelling. On their Instagram, you’ll find out about events, businesses and advocates that bring together and empower the chronic illness community.
5. Fibromyalgia Inspirational
Looking for inspiration and a community that just “gets it?” Fibromyalgia Inspirational shares memes that encourage followers in their fight, and poses questions that allow followers to discuss how they deal with the symptoms.
6. Karolyn Gehrig
Karolyn Gehrig started the #hospitalglam hashtag in 2014 to empower herself and others during dehumanizing doctor’s appointments. She lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and frequently posts magazine-worthy images of herself posing on hospital beds and in doctor’s offices.
7. US Pain Foundation
As a nonprofit working to advocate for those living with a variety of chronic pain conditions, the US Pain Foundation posts inspirational memes and has designed a “Positivity Photo Challenge” to encourage followers to share where they find happiness in their lives.
8. Young People Chronic Illnesses
Run by (you guessed it) young people with chronic illnesses, the account features photos and stories of teens and young adults facing various illnesses. The account also shares facts and memes about chronic illnesses that can be passed along to spread awareness.
9. Tae McKenzie
Model, actress, fashionista and stroke survivor Tae McKenzie shows off her impeccable style while living with epilepsy. She also holds the title of Ms. Heels for Wheels.
10. Stickman Comms
Hannah Ensor uses stick figures to illustrate life with chronic illness, from the challenges of shopping at IKEA with a wheelchair to the frustration of dealing with brain fog. She also creates cards that explain the basics of health conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and celiac disease and can be passed out to those who need to be educated about your illness.
Tell us about your favorite (or your own) Instagram accounts in the comments below.
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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