God is redeeming my body with every step.
For those with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), physical activity, such as running, can offer a new lease on life. Meaghan Brown, a wife and mother of two, has run four half marathons with POTS, a disease known for limiting physical activity.
“People talk about ‘don't say you have to run, say you get to, change your mindset.’ And for me It's been no, I have to.” Meaghan Brown said.
Brown went 13 years undiagnosed. 13 years of shaking, dizzy spells and losing consciousness. After contracting a virus in high school, Brown never fully healed. POTS affects the body’s autonomic system which handles everything that you don't think about including your heartbeat, breathing and digestion.
“I would just stand up from the couch and my heart rate would spike to over 200,” Brown said.
According to a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, 34% of POTS patients receive disability funding from the government. Brown does not. She works a full time job from home while spending time with her family and running everyday.
While medicine might seem like the obvious answer, there is an alternative. Brown believes in helping her body do what it is “supposed to do.” By making lifestyle changes she has gone from running 0.86 miles on her first run to 8.6 miles a year later. Brown takes naps and wears compression clothing along with running to manage her symptoms. Although she is not currently experiencing many symptoms, the thought of them coming back is always on her mind.
“What if it goes away again? What did I do to make sure that I utilized and appreciated and celebrated what I had while I still had it,” Brown said.
Although there is always the chance of her symptoms coming back Brown aims to make the most of her time without them. With her family. With her husband. With herself. Living life one run at a time.
On top of being a fulltime mom, Meaghan is the Director of Marketing for Kenmore Appliances. The job is fully remote and works well with her health needs. "I'm extremely, incredibly blessed to have a job that I love that is also fully remote" Meaghan said.
Brown makes time everyday to spend time with her kids and tries to make the most of it. Whether it is drawing with chalk in the driveway or going to Pelicans for shaved ice, a family who has fun together stays together.
"We have always been really close with our families growing up, so it just made sense with our family moving forward that we would do so much together," Brown said.
Jonathan, Brown's husband is a stay at home dad and takes care of Sophia and Elliot while she is working during the day. Even though the kids spend a lot of time with dad they are always eager to see mom.