I’ve had HS for 18 years and still no one knows what it is. That’s why I started KS and HS. Since then I also started This is What HS Looks Like. Check out both on Instagram!
About KS and HS
KS and HS began with three intentions:
- Raise awareness of Hidradenitis Suppurativa – Hidradenitis Suppurativa is not a rare disease but not many people know what it is. People with HS suffer for a long time. I was undiagnosed for 7 years and then had a difficult time accessing treatment. By raising awareness through KS and HS, I hope that people will reach diagnosis sooner.
- Show that it is ok to not be ok – Sometimes living with a chronic illness, especially HS, just sucks. I am dedicated to sharing my low moments as well as my high moments. By sharing my experiences, I hope to validate others and remind each other that we are not alone.
- Share how I still find joy while living with a chronic illness – I am more than my HS. HS is a huge part of my life and work but I have other identities. I am able to do other things that bring me joy while managing my HS and health. Some of these are: reading, crochet, my friends, going on adventures, traveling, and finding a really good quote.
My Instagrams
About Me
Hi! I’m Kathryn and I have had HS for 18 years. I was diagnosed at age 17 but experience my first HS flare 7 years prior, when I was 10 years old. I started KS and HS in 2020 as an outlet for my feelings about HS, including those targeted inwardly at my HS and those targeted outwardly at doctors and people who do not understand HS. Now that I have been posting for a year, I find advocating and helping others to be rewarding and an inspiration to continue forward. Hopefully, this blog and Instagram will lead to HS being common knowledge.
My background is in social work and public administration. I use these frameworks to communicate accurate and factual information to the public but also to call for action on advocating for HS awareness. In addition to HS awareness, I am also interested in advocating for social and racial justice, trauma-informed care, and equitable early childhood education. Fun fact about me: I used to be a preschool teacher in a homeless shelter!
Other than that, I spend most of my time crocheting while watching TV and movies. My top TV shows are probably Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, and The West Wing. My favorite movie is definitely Pride and Prejudice (2005) but I also love Jane Eyre (2006), the Sound of Music, and Meet Me in St. Louis. I am trying to read more too and my most recent favorite book is Where the Crawdads Sing. Otherwise, I’m going on adventures with my friends. 😀