From a Small Dream to a National Mission
This past weekend was one of those moments that reminds us why Connective Strength was created.
When we founded Connective Strength, our goal was simple: to improve the lives of individuals with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome through education, advocacy, and community. We never imagined that a small, patient-led nonprofit organization would one day be traveling across the country to help educate healthcare providers and improve access to knowledgeable care nationwide.
This weekend, Bret and I traveled to Virginia to teach the next courses in our CS-HEDS continuing education series. We were honored to have 16 physical therapists dedicate their weekend to expanding their knowledge and clinical skills in the care of individuals with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
We are incredibly grateful to Bodies In Motion Physical Therapy for hosting us and helping make this educational opportunity possible. The hospitality, enthusiasm, and commitment to learning made this an unforgettable weekend.
I also want to extend a special thank you to Bret Swigard. His passion for education, dedication to patients, and commitment to mentoring clinicians continue to inspire everyone around him. Through his teaching, more providers are gaining the skills and confidence needed to care for this complex and often underserved patient population.
Every course we teach represents something much larger than a weekend of continuing education. It represents more patients finding providers who understand their conditions, more clinicians feeling equipped to provide compassionate and effective care, and one more step toward a future where individuals with hypermobility and EDS no longer have to fight so hard to be understood.
As we boarded our flight home, I found myself reflecting on just how far this journey has come. What started as a small dream has grown into a national mission, and we are deeply grateful to every patient, provider, donor, volunteer, and supporter who has helped make it possible.
We can't wait to see where this mission takes us next.
- Zoë Jorna-Jackson, Connective Strength Board President