Our Story
iamvisABLE’s founding in August 2020 emerged from a lack of representation and need for community among individuals living with an invisible, chronic illness. In January 2022, iamvisABLE launched publicly as a corporation committed to documenting the stories of individuals suffering from chronic pain worldwide while fostering community in both online and public settings.
Later, in 2023, iamvisABLE successfully filed as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization and has relaunched in the year 2024 with the continued mission to utilize storytelling as a tool to connect, support, and empower individuals living with an invisible, chronic illness.
Changing the narrative
It is estimated that 96% of the nearly 157 million Americans living with a chronic illness suffer from a condition that is invisible. Many individuals within society are not well educated on such conditions that impact people on a daily basis. This lack of understanding inevitably contributes to feelings of isolation and hopelessness for those suffering from chronic conditions; therefore, by providing a safe space for people to share their experiences, iamvisABLE aims to amplify voices and foster a more inclusive and informed society, where every individual’s story is valued and heard.
The power of a story
There is a power in storytelling. A single story has the ability to change minds, shift perspectives, and connect people from all around the world. It embodies an individual who boldly confronts life experiences by sharing the vulnerable parts of who they are in hopes to influence, educate, and ultimately heal themselves and others. In the context of chronic illness, storytelling acts as a catalyst for community connection, empowerment, and education. Through shared narratives, we as individuals have the ability to bridge gaps in understanding and humanize the experience of living life with an invisible disease.
Juliana Tustin // Founder
Identifying a need
At the age of sixteen, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness. Due to personal health experiences, I began to identify a lack of representation and need for community among individuals living with an invisible, chronic illness. I wanted to change that.
Here at iamvisABLE, it is my hope that through storytelling and self-expression the world can better understand individuals suffering from chronic pain in the shadows; that we may all acknowledge the potential and light within ourselves, and in others; and that we may strive to live a life filled with both empathy and compassion.
Our Board Members
Juliana Tustin
Founder/CEO
Certified Child Life Specialist
Dan Ayer
Board Member
VP Operations – The Oncology Institute
Dr. Stanley Calderwood, MD
Board Member
American Board of Pediatrics Certified Pediatrician and Pediatric Hematologist/ Oncologist
Cristina Franchino
Board Member
Certified Child Life Specialist