About me
Hi! My name is Amanda! @amandasteijlen on Instagram! I am 27 years old and live in Tampa, Florida.
I have a super sweet husband and two golden doodles. We travel the US in our RV.
I share my life journey with a chronic illness and generalized anxiety disorder on Instagram and on my website www.amandasteijlen.com.
I founded a nonprofit organization that supports the disabled community and am in the process of becoming a rehabilitation and mental health counselor!
Diagnosis
My journey all began when I was about 8 years old. My parents started to realize that my "tippy-toe princess walk" was not exactly what they thought it was. I started to lose the ability to run, climb stairs, get up off the floor, etc. After many many doctors and an incorrect diagnosis, at the age of 10, I was finally diagnosed with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2A. This disorder is caused by the inability of my body to create a protein that builds muscle. It is progressive and over time causes the degradation of muscle.
Chronic Illness & Mental Health Advocacy
I am a spokesperson and social media advocate that brings awareness to chronic illness and mental health!
I am a certified meditation instructor and am also on my way to being able to provide mental health counseling. I plan to specialize in those with chronic illnesses.
Wheely Big Dreams Nonprofit Organization
I founded a nonprofit organization that provides adaptive devices and support for those with physical disabilities.
Over the years I have been blessed with support from my family for all the costly devices that I needed that were not covered by insurance. I am so excited to be able to change the lives of others by giving them these live changing items!
Without the assistance to get a wheelchair-accessible van, power wheel, offroad wheelchair, etc. my life would not be nearly the same.
Please visit our website to donate! You can make such a huge difference in someone's life!
