Faces of chronic illnesses: Southeast community shares hidden realities

"You learn how to adapt quickly, and you learn to read the room." Jordan Russell, freshman and Child Development major, experiences hearing loss and unidentifiable stomach issues. She first received the diagnosis in first grade -- the start of a years-long journey to understanding how to navigate hearing loss. She describes often experiencing "listening fatigue," in which she feels exhausted from being constantly straining to hear. (Photo by Anna Estes)

Jordan Russell (Photo by Anna Estes)

Jordan Russell (Photo by Anna Estes)

After being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at eight years old, Shannon Hussey said much of the condition is "second nature" to her. Through it, she said she's learned to prioritize taking care of her body and appreciating it for what it can do. She runs a group called T1D, which unites individuals in the Southeast Missouri area. While she says her insulin pump and glucose monitor are constant reminders of Type 1 Diabetes, she celebrates all the things that her body is capable of. (Photo by Anna Estes)

Shannon Hussey (Photo by Anna Estes)

Andrea Buerck, senior administrative assistant in campus and event services at Southeast, experiences systemic lupus. She describes her story as starting "a little backwards." Her son, born in 2017, was diagnosed with neonatal lupus. As the condition can only be passed from the mom in pregnancy, Buerck said she was soon being tested for lupus as well. She said she's found communities online to both learn about lupus and connect with others who experience it. (Photo by Anna Estes)

One of the biggest characteristics of fibromyalgia is widespread pain, academic advisor Jessica Brethold (left) said, which can sometimes affect her daily schedule. While she said it's more of a natural thought now, she'll often consider exercise and physical activity with pain levels. If she exercises one day, can she balance that with days of rest for the pain? As chronic pain isn't something visible to strangers, she said it's important to be kind because you never know what another person is experiencing. (Photo by Anna Estes)

Jessica's sister, Alisha Reisenbichler (Right), also experiences fibromyalgia. The sisters explain that it's genetic; their mother experiences chronic pain as well. Reisenbichler focuses on yoga every morning and night to relax tense muscles and prevent soreness. Chronic fatigue goes hand in hand with the pain, she said, which can be mentally exhausting. She said she's learned to listen to her body, not push it past its limits and, ultimately, focus on taking care of herself.  (Photo by Anna Estes)

Mass communication professor Michael Simmons always says that you can't control everything, but you can manage it. It's a saying that he's applied to his treatment of Type 1 Diabetes, as well as life in general. He said he works especially hard to manage his blood sugar levels around his teaching schedule - a too high level can result in feeling irritable, but when the levels dip too low he might have more difficulty functioning. He jokes about it often, saying, "My pancreas is a quitter," but he's reminded that it's a serious illness. He lost his mother and grandfather from complications of Type 1. It's a reminder to pay attention to things, he said - he can't control all of it, but he can control how he responds to it.  (Photo by Anna Estes)