My name is Jenni and I live in Ohio. I was 16 years old when I was diagnosed with POTS. I am 18 now. I had just gotten over mononucleosis and my Uncle and Godfather had just passed away. Everything really threw me for a loop all at once! I ended up in the local hospital due to my symptoms and no one knew what was wrong with me.

     Luckily, after dealing with the wrong doctors, we found doctors who KNEW what they were talking about, who were EDUCATED about POTS, and who were INFORMED enough about the recent treatments for POTS. I went to Dr. Blair Grubb at the Medical College of Ohio and things started to move forward for me then.

     I want to focus on the upside of POTS. Yes - you read that correctly - the upside of POTS! You see with time, the right doctors, and the right medications I am much more functionable now and my POTS is…well - under control more now. I feel that because of my POTS I have had the blessings to be able to see two different sides of life. Fortunate and unfortunate, and sickness and health. And although, of course, I prefer the "healthy" lifestyle - I would not give away what I have learned from having POTS. I could go on and on with what having POTS has taught me. Because of POTS, I now know what is truly important in life. I am a much stronger person than I was 2 years ago and small predicaments seem like a "piece of cake" to me now. I know who my true friends are and above all I never judge others.

     I was lucky to be one of the very first members of DYNA and I now volunteer for this organization. I am grateful that now kids diagnosed with POTS have a place to turn to for support. It truly helps to know other's who are dealing with the same thing. I will always cherish the friendships I have developed during this phase in my life.

     For those of you still dealing with very symptomatic POTS, please know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the "POTS light" is bright, warm and much more long lived than the "POTS illness" is. Keep in mind that I am not saying that I am all the way better. I still have to make accommodations for my condition, take my medications, and follow all the rules and I still have bad days. But I do get better every day and I am tremendously better than I was. And, above all, I sure am a better person!