Meet Ella Eastin
12X National Swimming Champion, 4X American Record Holder, USA Swimming National Team Member, and more recently, Stanford Medical Student and founder of Dysunderstood
Typically known for her swimming achievements, Ella’s life looks a little differently these days:
"Just few months from my opportunity to qualify for the United States Olympic Team, I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and dysautonomia, an umbrella term for conditions resulting from autonomic nervous system dysfunction. I followed every recommendation in an attempt to quickly regain my health and get back in the water. But, I was ultimately forced to reconcile that I would not heal in time for the Olympics and decided to retire from swimming.
“Patients, experts, and advocacy groups have been working tirelessly for years to increase recognition, funding, and research efforts for ME/CFS and dysautonomia related-illnesses. My firsthand experience with this debilitating condition ended my professional swimming career, set me on a path to pursue a new career as a physician, and has motivated me to bring awareness to those fighting invisible chronic illness and disability.
"I created dysunderstood to open up about my health challenges, including a battle with dysautonomia and ME/CFS, that drastically changed the trajectory of my life.”
Learn more about Ella’s journey and Dysunderstood at Dysunderstood.com.
Shop Ella's Picks
on sale
$29.94
originally
$99.95
Light Grey (Grey)
on sale
$34.98
originally
$109.95
Blue Tie Dye (Blue)
$13.95
Pink Tie-Dye (Tie Dye)
“As a medical student, future healthcare provider and person living with chronic illness, Nurse Mates® products are a staple. I wear my compression socks on road trips, the airplane, while sitting in class, after a day on my feet, after a shower, and more.”
"My goal is to uplift others that face similar or different challenges to me. I try my best to put positivity into the world. This is necessary to encourage everyone to keep pushing forward. But this isn’t how I feel all of the time. For those of you that question the validity your emotions when you are struggling, don’t. “
"I feel a sense of responsibility. Not one that is burdensome, but one that arises out of passion, driven by personal experience. That is why I decided that I am going to pursue a career as a medical doctor."
Catching Up with Ella
Q+A with the Founder of Dysunderstood
You’re almost finished with the first year of medical school – how has the experience been?
Medical school so far has been an amazing experience. The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn! There have been so many opportunities to do research, get involved in advocacy work, and interact with providers that are passionate about improving the lives of those living with ME/CFS, Dysautonomia, Long Covid and more. Keeping Dysunderstood as a priority in my life has been a great way to stay grounded in my "why"- the reason I set out on this long journey to become a physician. Sometimes it is overwhelming with the amount I have to learn and accomplish, especially when managing my own health. But, having a connection to and the support of the chronic illness community has been a great reminder as to why I am working hard every day- in the hopes of making an impact on the lives of those living with chronic illness.
Any advice to new incoming students? Or people thinking of applying to medical school?
To those that are thinking of applying to medical school, nursing school, or any program to become a healthcare provider, my advice would be to go for it! If you are passionate about healthcare, working with and caring for patients, or learning about the amazing bodies we live in everyday, I guarantee you will enjoy it. The best advice I have received in the process of applying was, "Be yourself." We sometimes try to fit the mold of what we think that programs want in an applicant. But, in my experience, educational institutions want us to come as we are. Our individual experiences allow us to uniquely serve our patients, so they don't want us to lose that.
Best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice that I have been given is to "be confident and be curious". In order to thrive, you must believe in your ability to. My experience with ME/CFS and dysautonomia has taught me that everyone may be able to accomplish more on any given day. For me, sometimes that is less than I would hope. But, my experience with this condition gives me a perspective that others will never have- and that will help me become a more empathetic and understanding physician. So, I have continued to strive for confidence in my unique abilities as a healthcare provider. I also continue to be curious. In work, life, and school, there are a lot of tasks we are required to do and topics we are required to study, that may not be what we are most excited about. But, it is important to remember that the learning experience will suit us one day. When it comes to the practice of medicine, it is important to be invested in learning about every field, as a career in medicine can take many forms and often intersect, even when you don't expect it. If you continue to be open-minded and a genuinely curious learner, it makes it a lot easier to enjoy the process.
What are you most looking forward to this year between school and Dysunderstood
I am looking forward to seeing how Dysunderstood continues to grow. The platform and community is constantly evolving. You can keep an eye out for the Dysunderstood Shop, the Dyunderstood Podcast and the 2023 Dysunderstood Conference. If you or anyone you know would like to share their story with Dysunderstood, please contact us.
You can reach us at www.dysunderstood.com/contactus or on Instagram @dysunderstood.
Best resources to learn more about dysautonomia?
To learn more about Dysautonomia, you can visit www.dysautonomiainternational.org
To learn more about ME/CFS, visit https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Myalgic_Encephalomyelitis_or_Chronic_Fatigue_Syndrome&veaction=edit§ion=18