About Me
Emily Bradley is a 21 year old student at Florida State University, patient health advocate, writer, and speaker. After suffering acutely for a year prior, she was diagnosed at the age of 18 with Still’s Disease. In addition to her Still’s Disease, Emily has faced painful complications from acute idiopathic scoliosis and has since undergone both a spinal fusion and a revision surgery to remove the fusion hardware.
In January of 2012, she was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation never seen before though indicative of an autoinflammatory disease (a genetic disease of the innate immune system).
While these three conditions are more than enough to keep a patient busy, Emily also fights Endometriosis, chronic migraines, secondary Fibromyalgia, and is now being evaluated for Cushing’s Disease.
Through her journey with chronic illness and chronic pain, Emily sought out a community website that shared resources, tips, advice, support, discussion, and the stories of other adults. When she did not find what she was looking for, she created Chronic Curve.
She now works as a writer, speaker, and patient advocate— helping others learn how to become empowered patient advocates and navigate life through the trials of chronic illness, chronic pain, and disability. Emily was selected as a Stanford University ePatient Scholar and will be attending Stanford’s Medicine X conference in fall of 2013. Her goal is to help banish the stigma of chronic pain; improve doctor-patient communication and relationships; and help university students navigate their first taste of adult life with a serious disease.
Outside of her time spent as a professional patient, Emily enjoys a good book, cold weather, live music, photography, and works as a social media manager when her health permits. She is a certified First Responder in the state of Florida under the Florida Medical Training Institute. She studies psychology, sociology, and minors in biology at Florida State University. With her degree, Emily wishes to become a licensed psychologist who works with chronically/terminally ill children.
Click here to read and learn more about Emily’s story.
For business/press inquiries, questions/comments, or if you would like to have Chronic Curve as a guest writer or speaker, please contact Emily Bradley at chroniccurve@gmail.com
A 21 year old student and ePatient advocate working to help others navigate through life with chronic pain, chronic disease, and disability. Sharing resources, advice, helping others find a voice and become empowered patient advocates. Raising awareness for Autoimmune Arthritis and Autoinflamatory diseases.
