Endings #5: I Got Broken Up With Because of My Chronic Illness, Part II

March 27th

“It wasn’t just losing him with the breakup, but a lot of the dreams and hopes I had for the future. It was coming to terms with the idea that this illness might be chronic. That there was no fix.”

- Katrina

On Part II of our episode on breakups because of chronic illness, we first hear from Katrina, who contracted Malaria while in Uguanda and then developed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease, or Post Exertion Malaise Syndrome) after the initial infection. She shares the process of understanding her new reality while in a relationship, its eventual demise, and where she's at regarding the potential for new love now. Then after the break, we're joined by Kirsten Schultz of Chronic Sex, who addresses questions that arose from last week's show regarding the absence of sex in relationships because of illness, and what resources out there might help. And before we close out, Jacqueline addresses a question from a recent reader: Do you ever feel you're shortchanging someone in a relationship with you because of your physical limitations?"

About This Episode

Here’s a bit of information about the illnesses, essays, organizations and resources referenced in this episode. If you have any stories you'd like to share, please feel free to reach out to J at lovebites@heritageradionetwork.org.

Click on the images to be directed to their pages.

About Kirsten Schultz

Kirsten Schultz is a genderqueer writer and sexuality educator in Wisconsin. Through her work as a chronic illness and disability activist, she has a reputation for tearing down barriers while mindfully causing constructive trouble. Recently, Kirsten founded Chronic Sex, which openly discusses how illness and disability affect our relationships with ourselves and others including - you guessed it - sex! You can learn more about Kirsten and Chronic Sex at chronicsex.org.