Something to Think About

✨Many in the rare and chronic illness community relate deeply to the poem “Welcome to Holland” by Emily Perl Kingsley.

❤️The poem describes planning a dream trip to Italy, only to land in Holland instead. It wasn’t the journey you expected, and at first it can bring confusion, grief, or anger about the life you thought you were going to have.

🥺For many living with aortic disease, that feeling is very real. No one plans for an aortic aneurysm, dissection, congenital heart condition like a bicuspid aortic valve, or emergency heart surgery.

🤔But over time, like the poem reminds us, Holland isn’t a bad place—it’s just different.

♥️Many in the aortic community learn to navigate this unexpected path with strength, resilience, and the support of others who understand the journey.

❤️You may still think about “Italy,” and that’s okay. But there can also be beauty, hope, and community in Holland. 💙