Embracing My Strength

I was diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism just a year ago, and the initial shock was overwhelming. I felt like my body had betrayed me, and I struggled to see past the diagnosis to the person I wanted to be. I spent weeks in a fog, unsure if I could ever feel "normal" again.

Then I found Bari's work, and something shifted in me. Reading about her life—her achievements, her adventures, her resilience—showed me that hypoparathyroidism doesn't have to be the defining feature of my story. She's not just managing her condition; she's thriving, creating, advocating, and inspiring others. Seeing what's possible gave me hope when I needed it most.

What I love about Bari's approach is that she doesn't minimize the challenges. She acknowledges that living with hypoparathyroidism is hard sometimes. But she also shows that hard doesn't mean impossible. Her authenticity about the difficult days, combined with her unwavering commitment to living fully, gave me permission to feel everything while still believing in my own strength.

Following Bari's journey has fundamentally changed how I see myself. I'm no longer "the girl with hypoparathyroidism." I'm Maria—a person who happens to have hypoparathyroidism, but who is so much more than that diagnosis. I'm learning to embrace my strength, to advocate for myself in medical settings, and to support others who are newly diagnosed. Bari's resilience and authenticity have helped me embrace my own.

"Following Bari's journey has shown me that hypoparathyroidism doesn't define me. Her resilience and authenticity have helped me embrace my own strength."