Chronic Mama was born out of desperation — out of not knowing where to turn or what to do. It has given me drive, purpose, and a future. It has also helped me tie into the background I have as a teacher.
For a long time, I was just getting by. I was alive, but not thriving. The last couple of years have been filled with one diagnosis after another. My body and my mind felt like they were failing me.
This project changed that. What started as simply getting things down on paper has turned into a mission, a way of living. I’ve spent countless hours pouring every bit of my story and Andy’s story into AI — ChatGPT, or “Chat” as I call it.
I’ll be honest: as a teacher, my job was to spot when students used AI and call them on it. I had preconceived ideas before ever trying it. But since starting this project, I’ve learned to embrace it.
Now, I brain dump into Chat, and it organizes my thoughts. I quick-write the way I taught my students, and it elevates those words into something clearer. At times, it’s still all over the place, but it has given me a way to take everything going on in my mind and create something bigger.
In just a few months, I’ve been able to get out the thoughts that lived in my head for years. AI has become my graphic organizer, my thought partner, and my tool for turning chaos into clarity. It has helped me elevate my writing and transform my pain into purpose.
This broken teacher has found her voice again.
I can see how AI can help people of all levels and abilities — from documenting simple things to building entire projects. For me, it started small. But documenting turned into projects, and projects turned into motivation.
I’m no longer depressed by the weight of 20+ chronic illnesses. I have something to work toward. I have projects, purpose, and motivation I didn’t have before Chronic Mama & Andy.
I have a voice. And you know what? My son has a voice too — even when he doesn’t use words. And in this mama’s heart, that is all that matters.
Real Love. Real Illness. Real Adventures.
…with a side of steak sauce.
With love,
Chronic Mama Stephanie 💙