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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How I’m building a joyful, meaningful life beyond my diagnoses

There is so much more to my life than Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), blindness, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite these challenges, I live life to the fullest and do not let my diagnoses define me. When I meet someone new, I want them to get to know me for who…

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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,…

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My journey with blindness from Bardet-Biedl syndrome began as a child

When I think about how Bardet-Biedl syndrome, an inherited multisystemic disorder, has affected my life, the first thing that comes to mind is how much my vision has been affected. My journey with vision loss began very early in life. I was around 2 years old the first time…

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My life with Bardet-Biedl syndrome is about more than a diagnosis

From birth, my story was marked by uncertainty. My kidneys were so enlarged that doctors didn’t expect me to live. At first, they believed I had autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, but then I survived. As I grew, doctors continued to keep an eye on me and closely monitored my…