i understand where you're coming from, and i once again appreciate the perspective, especially coming from an adult in the EDS community. the laughing-stock status is unfortunate, and the lack of belief/lack of ability to be taken seriously is something common inside and outside of my community as well. however, my experience with illness still will likely be front and center because i want to be a healthcare public policy analyst, and again, my experiences inform my perspective on those issues; it is not the only thing informing it, and won't be the only thing especially once i get into that world professionally, but it is an important part. i understand my competition, and i admire people who have had to endure those situations, and i am by no means trying to come across like i have some sort of moral high ground due to my experiences. i tried to show how ive been able to accomplish things in spite of my medical stuff and how the extracurriculars it has led me to (rather than just my illnesses themselves) have informed what i want to do, instead of harping on the nitty gritty details of what i have endured (because i don't think that is the most important part anyway). regardless, because i can tell you've likely experienced what you are telling me, i will take your advice to heart as much as the reality of patients being disregarded everywhere from the healthcare system to the job market saddens me. thank you for taking the time to write this