In the Current —
Ariana Barton

Ariana was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy in 2022, and since then, she’s been on a mission to make sure that’s the least interesting thing about her. Ariana spent nearly a decade working as a hair stylist before transitioning to the tech industry, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science, and eventually settling into the legal field. In her free time, Ariana enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, yapping with friends, and brushing her six cats.

Columns

My chronic illness is no blessing in disguise, but I know what matters now

I’ve always been aware of factors beyond my control; I just never considered that something outside my control might actually seriously affect me. Mysterious illnesses with complicated names have always existed, but they were something that happened to other people. When I received my immunoglobulin A neuropathy (IgAN) diagnosis,…

Columns

Some things about having a chronic illness I couldn’t prepare for

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has taken a lot from me, including my health, my money, my energy, and my free time. The loss of most of these things didn’t surprise me. I have a few family members who are chronically ill, so I wasn’t naive to the reality of coexisting…

Columns

IgAN may have changed my life, but it didn’t change me

I knew something was wrong years before I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). I was constantly exhausted, my blood pressure was slowly creeping higher, and I was starting to feel strangely foggy and disconnected. I was working as a hairstylist at the time, pulling 12-hour days, six days…


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