Next up for our Hospital Experience blog series is the firecracker, Aubrey Winkie. Aubrey is currently battling multiple chronic illnesses, but is doing it with a smile, and a Giftgown. She’s an absolute inspiration and we’re so lucky to have her share some of her top tricks and tips for long hospital stays and staying positive!

The​ ​Basics
Name:​ ​Aubrey Winkie
Location:​ ​Austin, TX
Social​ ​Media​ ​Handles:
Instagram:​ aubreys.lyme.journey
Youtube:​ chronicles of a chronically ill girl

GG:​ ​Tell​ ​us​ ​about​ ​yourself,​ ​include​ ​if​ ​you’re​ ​a​ ​patient,​ ​survivor​ ​or​ ​a​ ​current
warrior​ ​battling​ ​an​ ​illness

Aubrey​ ​Winkie:​ ​My name is Aubrey and I am currently battling several chronic illnesses. It all started with getting Lyme disease and having it go undiagnosed for years before getting treatment. Because it was so late stage when I was first diagnosed the disease had infiltrated most parts of my body, particularly my nervous system. It caused seizures and autonomic nervous system disfunction. I have a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome that affects my heart and leads to passing out, I have a service dog that helps alert me before these episodes. I also have gastroparesis, which is a partially paralyzed stomach so I have to be fed through a feeding tube. My goal is to spread awareness about Lyme Disease in the hopes that I can prevent others from having to go so long without getting diagnosed. I love my dogs, the outdoors, sunshine and vlogging! (I vlog about the ups and downs of everyday life with chronic
illness here).

GG:​ ​In​ ​three​ ​words,​ ​how​ ​would​ ​your​ ​friends​ ​and​ ​family​ ​describe​ ​you?

AW:​ Positive, Determined, and Joyful

GG:​ ​Have​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​had​ ​a​ ​long​ ​term​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hospital?​ ​What​ ​was​ ​it​ ​like​ ​and​ ​how do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​Giftgowns​ ​could​ ​have​ ​made​ ​the​ ​situation​ better​ ​and​ ​more comfortable?

AW:​ Yes, I am very small, I fit into children’s clothes so I would literally be swimming in hospital gowns. Giftgowns makes you feel more like yourself when you are in the hospital. You get to wear something to express yourself instead of wearing what looks like a curtain from a nursing home (current hospital gowns!).

GG:​ ​What​ ​is​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​Giftgown?

AW:​ Peace sign!

GG:​ ​What​ ​are​ ​tips​ ​and​ ​tricks​ ​for​ ​those​ ​who​ ​are​ ​currently​ ​going​ through treatment?

AW:
● Sit outside- for me when I am housebound with treatment being able to sit out brings me so much joy
● Call up and chat with a friend - being sick all the time can be isolating and lonely. Sometimes it’s hard for friends to start the conversation so I’ve found being open about what you are going through makes it a lot easier.
● Skillshare or coursera- I had to quit my schooling because of illness so taking free online classes on Skillshare or Coursera made me feel super happy to still get to learn new things
● Find hobbies that work with your abilities. When I first got really sick I just got frustrated that I couldn’t do things that I loved (rock climbing, hiking, reading, writing) but I found some new creative outlets that really helped with my mental health and not going stir crazy (vlogging, cooking)!

GG:​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​tips​ ​on​ ​making​ ​a​ ​hospital​ ​stay​ ​more​ ​pleasant?

AW:
● Bring your own pillow and blanket!
● Coloring books
● Netflix!
● Befriend the nurses
● Treat yo self! (I like to allow myself to do a little online shopping for packages to look forward to when you get out of the hospital)
● Find some spoonie friends you can chat with to help get you through it

GG:​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​special​ ​routines​ ​or​ ​mantras​ ​that​ ​help​ ​you​ ​cope?

AW:​ ​Just keep smiling :)
GG:​ ​Tell​ ​us​ ​more!​ ​What’sd​ ​your​ ​sign?
AW:​ ​Leo
GG:​ ​What’s​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​candy/treat?
AW:​ ​Dairy free ice cream!
GG:​ ​What’s​ ​your​ ​favourite​ ​vacation​ ​destination?
AW:​ ​The coast of Kenya

Thanks, Aubrey for sharing your experience and tips with us! We love your positive, shining spirit! Giftgowns is lucky to have you as our November Ambassador!