As a patient with a poorly understood, genetic disease called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility type, Dr. Sarah Kelly has additional experience and a special interest in managing the complexities of invisible disability and hypermobility (lax joints). Invisible disability (any disorder that is potentially disabling and has no visible physical symptoms; eg. Connective tissue disorders (such as EDS and Marfan's syndrome), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, celiac disease/gluten sensitivity, multiple sclerosis, chronic headache, Lyme disease, and many forms of psychiatric, autoimmune and rheumatologic disease) is often associated with a wide variety of seemingly unrelated, but frequently debilitating symptoms including widespread pain, fatigue, autonomic dysfunction, and gastrointenstinal and psychiatric symptoms (such as depression and anxiety). It is common for individuals with invisible disability to not only underestimate the impact of their symptoms, but to be falsely labeled as hypochondriacs, "drug-seekers", or malingerers when they do eventually seek medical attention. Ultimately, the symptoms of many affected individuals often go undiagnosed, increasing disability and despair. Most forms of invisible disability have no specific cure. With the correct diagnosis, however, there can be significant physical and psychological healing.
As a physician affected by a chronic, incurable and potentially progressive invisible disease, Dr. Kelly understands what it is like to be a patient with an invisible disability and has dedicated her personal and professional life to making a difference in the lives of those affected by it. At the Kelly Clinic, our doctors believes an integrative treatment approach that addresses all aspects of lifestyle and health often provides the best treatment for many forms of invisible disability. Such an approach should be highly individualized to produce the best outcome on health and quality of life.
