Carissa Howe

My name is Carissa and I am a she/her.

I am a 34 year old music-loving, ever-reading, yoga-junkie, with an old soul and strong sense of wanderlust - and I now have a multitude of chronic health conditions along for the ride.

To date, I have received multiple diagnoses (including: migraines, psoriasis, POI, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, shingles, uveitis, spondylitis, lichen sclerosus, vulvodynia, fibromyalgia, comorbid depression & anxiety and myalgic encephalomyelitis) that have placed me in a war between my body, mind and spirit. I can honestly say that if it weren't for the integration of holistic and alternative healthcare options and the assistance of healthcare providers that were invested in helping me address my whole health, I would not be here today.

I continue to prioritize & advocate for my own well-being and have developed a strong dedication to helping others along their own personal journeys. I believe in the power of storytelling to connect and empower us, and know that community is integral to healing.

My life has been altered; I have been right along with it. However, I firmly believe in refusing to give-up or dwell in negativity (some days, that is easier than others.) But the only way through is forward, and life is meant to be lived in that direction. So although my course has been drastically shifted and my path is much less defined, I am taking the steps onward for myself and I am dedicated to doing whatever I can to help others navigate their own way ahead too. 

I am eager to participate in the important work Femade is positioning itself for, and hope to be able to assist those with chronic pain, and reform the way that our healthcare system - particularly for women and those experiencing the current system/services - addresses and understands the complexities of our needs.