Choose the option that feels easiest. You can write freely, upload a completed story, answer guided questions, or schedule a conversation with HHS.
You may use any of these prompts to help tell your story:
Tell us a little about yourself. When did your health journey begin? What has been one of the most difficult parts? Who or what has helped you along the way? What do you wish others understood about your condition? Who are the “hidden heroes” in your journey? What gives you strength or hope? What message would you like to share with others? You do not need to answer every question. Please tell your story in the way that feels most natural to you.
Your Story *
You do not need to write a finished story or answer every question. Every question below is optional. Answer only the questions that feel relevant to you, and HHS can use your responses to prepare a story while preserving your meaning and voice. You will have an opportunity to review the story before it is published.
If you would like to give your story a title, use the optional Story Title field above.
Before and During Diagnosis
Tell us more about your life before your health condition became part of it.
What were your first symptoms?
How long after your first symptoms was a diagnosis made, and what was your path to learning you had your health condition ?
How did you feel when you learned you had your health condition ? What emotions or thoughts ran through your mind?
Was it challenging to share the news with family and friends, and did you tell them right away?
Are you receiving treatment, and is it helping?
Living With your health condition
What changed most for you after you learned you had your health condition ?
What has been the hardest part of living with your health condition ?
What has surprised you most about your health journey?
What helps you keep going on difficult days?
Support, Meaning, and Hope
Who have been the “Hidden Heroes” in your journey?
How have your family, friends, caregivers, or medical team supported you?
Have moments of joy, connection, or meaning become especially important to you?
What has this experience taught you about courage, relationships, or life?
What gives you hope right now?
What You Want Others to Know
What do you wish more people understood about your health condition ?
What would you say to someone who recently learned they had your health condition ?
What do you wish the medical or broader community would do differently for people with your health condition ?
What is one thing you want readers to remember about you beyond your health condition ?
Is there anything else you would like HHS to include?
Share your story through a conversation with HHS. Choose an online Zoom meeting or an in-person meeting, then provide up to three preferred dates and times. These are requests only; HHS will contact you to confirm the final details.
Online Meeting via Zoom Meet from wherever is comfortable for you. The conversation can be recorded only with your permission.Live Meeting Meet in the Montgomery area or suggest another location for HHS to confirm.
May the Zoom conversation be recorded? * Select one Yes — the meeting may be recorded No — please do not record the meeting
Where would you prefer to meet? * Select one HHS location in the Montgomery area — address shared privately after confirmation I would like to suggest another location
What location would you like to suggest? *
Preferred Dates and Times
You may provide one, two, or three choices.
Anything else you would like us to know?
