Adapt, Overcome, Rinse, Repeat.
Not necessarily in that order.
Now that The Mighty Turtle has a renovated home, I would like to explain the goals and purpose of this website. Some of you remember it from back in the day as Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis and Box Wine. I still have the Facebook Page of the same name, but changed the blog name so it would be easier to remember. I picked “turtle” because turtles out lived the dinosaurs by adapting. They moved to the sea, learned that jellyfish are delicious, and know how to cruise The Gulf Stream like a champ on loose bed of kelp. The only thing anyone remembers from Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis and Box Wine is the “Box Wine” part. By the way, I stole the “Box Wine” idea after listening to hours of listening to The Stephanie Miller Show Podcast driving to and doctor’s appointments between LA, Riverside and home.
Overall it is a blog, but there are resources and a store as well as a useful resource about life as a member of the human race living with some chronic illnesses, being a parent and 100% service connected female veteran.

The Mighty Turtle adapts to overcome.
My diagnoses are Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Depression and complicated damage like pulmonary fibrosis, barrat’s espohagus and Joe my God, the list ends here.
I write to raise awareness and hope to save others time by sharing about how I spun my own wheels. In addition to written posts, I have a video series called, Scleroderma on the Fly. This series consists of facts and helpful tips about scleroderma. Each video after Episode 1 will be two minutes or less and will cover only one topic. This is to provide a quick go to source thats easy to understand and easy to repeat. I want those who watch to walk away from each episode knowing the topic.
Feedback is always welcome. I especially need to know if there is something I talk about that does not translate or you as the reader or viewer need further explanation. I am my own editor. Of course I enjoy positive feedback, but critical feedback will only help me become a better messenger. If it’s the information I give is ever confusing, let me have it!
I support research and fundraising organizations I know about and find credible by sharing their information, donor pages and more. I am not connected to the organizations I endorse.
I write about current events as well as medical experience. There is more to life than our diagnoses. It took years of therapy for me to realize I was not my Scleroderma. I want to share that message. Though my opinions will be shared, the only thing we need to agree is that diseases like Scleroderma and Sarcoidosis need a cure and patients need better treatment while waiting for one. (I’m a little tire of waiting. Did someone just start playing Muzak?)
Thank you for taking the time to read about this website/blog. I hope you will find it a useful resource and share posts when you feel they are share-worthy. It doesn’t matter your diagnosis and this page is not just for patients. It is for patients and those who love and care about them. Coping is tough as both a patient and loved one. The greatest way to torture a person is to cause suffering to those they love the most. Not sure? Ask a parent. Diseases have symptoms in common. Coping is universal because we are in this together and we can help each other by learning from one another.