Hold fast
Image Description: Photo of a class pic of Carey and Kae sitting one person apart from each other in the 6th grade. The name of the school and year 2002-2003 is on a sign at the front.
Image description: Recent close-up photo of Kae on the left, beside her childhood best friend, Carey. Both are smiling into the camera, taken on a night out together.
We met in the fifth grade and became best friends the following year, and then I moved away to another city (numerous times) but we always kept in touch. I wasn’t sick then but eventually, upon entering high school, I would experience unexplainable symptoms.
In late 2008, I was officially diagnosed with #LGMD but none of us knew what that really meant. I didn’t talk about it. I didn’t know how to. My symptoms were also mild and easy to ignore then too. We managed to make many core memories together whenever I came back to visit, not knowing some of those moments would be the last.
Fast forward to the present day, we’re living in the same city and I’m still fighting the fight of my life but in a much more intense way. This disease is ruthless and unforgiving. It’s progressive and I long for my past self often but to know someone who knew the old me, accepts all of me, and has continued to evolve along with me on this challenging journey is truly something special. Our circumstances have changed but our bond hasn’t. Those who’ve witnessed our dynamic in person can attest to our unconditional love for one another. Happiest birthday to my childhood friend who has become family. I love you, Carey 💕🌸✨