I had found my passion. Horse Teeth. Who knew. It was so fun. I loved educating my clients and “fixing” my equine patients. But then I got sick.
As I went to the doctor after doctor, I saw that no one was getting to hear my whole story. No wonder both me and the physicians were getting frustrated.
I wondered how, together, chronic patients and health care providers, could make this better.
Now retired, and with two decades of lived experience with a chronic, invisible illness, Carrie’s why is to help clinicians get more satisfaction working with chronic patients.
Living with an invisible chronic illness for over 15 years, I’ve experienced deep loneliness, been misunderstood, and grieved the loss of my former athletic, able-bodied self.
Along the way, I’ve encountered a range of frustrating responses—from disbelief to dismissive comments like, “This sounds like anxiety,” or “It’s all in your head.” Even well-meaning advice, such as “Just rest,” “Exercise,” or “Have you tried eliminating X, Y, or Z from your diet?” reveals how often people—despite good intentions—fail to truly hear and understand what I’m saying.
Living with an invisible chronic illness leaves me feeling unseen, as though my life has been relegated to the feeder road, running parallel to the fast lane of others’ predictable, linear lives.
I’ve spoken with many others living with conditions such as ME/CFS, Long COVID, and Fibromyalgia, and my experience is far from unique.
Although we may look “fine” on the outside—perhaps managing to appear put-together for brief moments like a doctor’s appointment—this effort masks how deeply these conditions affect our daily functioning.
The frustration, confusion, and isolation we feel are common among the growing population of individuals with invisible chronic conditions, who long to be seen, heard, and valued for who they are, despite their challenges.
Connection Competence
Connection Competence
To enable her to fully bring her personal story to life, Carrie completed the rigorous Heroic graduate speaking program.
Carrie’s message is clear, concise, heartfelt and practical.
After graduating with a biochemistry major at Bowdoin, Dr. Caroline Niederman completed her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Niederman was a successful equine dentist for 25 years and is now making it her mission to educate clinicians on the benefit of the “wait and observe,” rather than treat method (for the human patients, of course).
Caroline has been published and featured in…
Caroline’s talk is thought-provoking and insightful. Her medical background gives her a depth of understanding of Physician’s perspectives, and she offers an actionable science-based solution for improving the care of patients with invisible chronic relapse conditions.
Caroline has outlined and paved a path for both Physicians on managing and providing sustained patient support, and for patients like herself that are living with an invisible chronic condition.
Maura Reminga
Somatic Integrative Therapist
Currently Booking for 2025
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Engaging Pre-Professional Healthcare Students in Understanding Common Experiences of Patients with Chronic Illness + Discussing Strategies of Support in a Tailored Workshop Series
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Consulting tailored to your Practice and Physicians incorporating Practical, Hands on, Physician-Patient Role Playing Format to dig into/uncover ways to make in-person and virtual office visits more effective and meaningful for both Physicians and Patients.
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Discover the Fulfillment and Reward of Partnering with Patients: The Cinderella Concept in Chronic Illness Care