Contributor Spotlight

CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHTMISTI BLU DAY MCDERMOTT

Misti is a happily married mother of three, a busy entrepreneur and an invisible illness warrior. She shares stories of others with invisible illnesses on her blog while also directing and creating documentary to raise awareness. There are twelve million misdiagnosis per year! Many are fighting battles that are not visible and she hopes to make a change to lower that number. She is currently going back to school to obtain a nursing degree. Because of her chronic illness, she has always had to juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet. Having a 9-5 full time job is impossible when needing to see multiple doctors per month and take frequent sicks days, or recovery days when in pain. Staying busy keeps her mind occupied. One of her many endeavors, Wildling Apothecary, is a natural and toxic-free product line with CBD, soaps, skincare, spice blends, teas, perfume oils, beard oils and more. She is also in the process of writing a book, which she has found very healing and therapeutic. She has a genetic condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and it has an umbrella of comorbidities, causing chronic pain and fatigue and greatly affecting her heart. She has had four cardiac operations, open heart surgery and a recent pacemaker implant. She also had a small battle with cancer in the beginning of the year and multiple surgeries throughout her life. You would never know from speaking to her, however, as she is the epitome of positivity and radiance. Misti says, “I am still here and I am not just fighting for myself anymore. I am fighting for the rest of you. I am fighting for healthcare and to make a change, no matter how small.”