Emily

Hi, my name is Emily and I am 20 years old. 

I have always been really sporty and active from a young age so being diagnosed with PoTS 5 years ago was a shock, and major adjustment for me.

Being forced to stop doing some of the things I love like dancing and running made me feel so frustrated and isolated, like I’d lost a part of who I was. Being of South Asian ethnicity also meant that it was hard to find other people who I could relate to, in what I was going through. 

Over the years, through medication and trial and error, I’ve been able to adapt to participate in the things I used to love. Walking (although not quite running) has become one of my favourite things to do to clear my head. I am also able to dance in moderation. I even joined my university cheer team which, although hard at times, has been the most rewarding and brave thing I’ve done! 

Everyday with PoTS is different and completely unpredictable. My advice to those who are newly diagnosed is to take each day as it comes. Also to not give up on those challenging things, as although they may take work they are not always impossible!