Kat’s Kourage — Kathryn Blalock

Hailing from Edmond, Oklahoma, Kathryn lives with Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, blindness, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Kathryn is the social media manager for the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Foundation and is passionate about disability advocacy, horseback riding, boxing, baking, caring for children, and writing. She shares her story to offer hope and encouragement.

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Navigating the double whammy of blindness and OCD

Before I underwent treatment, living with Bardet-Biedl syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often felt like a double whammy. While vision loss affected how I navigated the world around me, OCD influenced how I experienced it. Blindness often exacerbated my OCD because I couldn’t always see what was around…

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Learning to show up when the burden of grief is heavy

Grief can show up in many different ways. It can come from losing a loved one or a beloved pet, or grieving a part of your life that is slowly changing. For me, grief has been part of living with progressive vision loss. I grieve parts of my independence, experiences…

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From hiding to helping: Finding purpose through advocacy

For a long time, I never imagined that my story could help someone else. I spent years feeling embarrassed by my blindness, ashamed of my obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and hesitant to talk about the challenges of living with Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). Instead of allowing people to see those parts…

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Imcivree has helped quiet the constant hunger I once lived with

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Imcivree (setmelanotide). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. One symptom of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is hyperphagia — an intense, hard-to-control hunger. It is a symptom I struggled with…

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Therapeutic horseback riding has put me back in the saddle

The highlight of my week begins when I put on my helmet and wait for my turn to mount a horse. Riding brings me joy and peace, but it has also helped me become more confident, independent, and determined. For me, riding truly is therapy. I have loved horses since…

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How OCD took over my life, and what I did to get it back, part 2

Last in a series. Read part one.  After years of living inside the bubble of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), I finally made the decision to seek treatment. I knew I needed help, but finding that help became an uphill battle. I applied to numerous treatment facilities, but I was turned…

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How OCD took over my life, and what I did to get it back, part 1

First in a series. When people think about my life with Bardet-Biedl syndrome, what might come to mind first is my vision loss, but one of the hardest challenges I have faced has been severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is often associated with the condition. As a…

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Accepting my blindness came down to choosing freedom over fear

Accepting my blindness was a long, hard-fought process. My blindness is caused by Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare genetic condition. For the longest time, I did not want to accept my blindness. However, once I finally came to terms with my reality, I felt a sense of freedom. For years,…