Hope In Stripes

Hope in Stripes - Living Life With Rare Grace

Hope In Stripes is a blog dedicated to chronic illness, rare disease, disability, and caregiving — written from lived experience. Through Lived Experiences, Medical Navigation & Advocacy, Resources & Practical Support, Community, Language & Validation, and Tools for Those With Chronically Ill Loved Ones, you’ll find education, practical guidance, and honest reflections on navigating medical systems, identity shifts, grief, and hope. This is a space for clarity, compassion, and community for lives that are anything but ordinary.

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Trusted Voices

Real Stories

Blog Introduction

Learn about how the Rarely Ordinary Collection and Hope in Stripes came to fruition, why this website and shop exists, and about its creator.

Lived Experiences

Real experiences from real people across the globe. From people with autoimmune conditions to neurological conditions to rare diseases.

Medical Navigation & Advocacy

Understand how to navigate the medical system, to advocate for yourself and others, and select expos on certain diseases.

Resources & Practical Support

Explore various resources to help in your chronic illness journey, tools for medical appointments, and daily life support.

Community, Language & Validation

Grow your circle with others who are in similar situations to you, debunk the taboo around being sick, validate what you are going through.

Tools for Those With Chronically Ill Loved Ones

Learn how to become an advocate for your loved ones, how to support them, and how to understand what they are going through.

Interested In Sharing Your Story or Want Certain Topics Covered?

Submit a contact form with a short description of your story or description of the topics you would like covered. You are not required to provide your name, allowing anonymity. If we are interested, we will reach out to you. We require you to write your own personal story to avoid any miscommunication and errors. We will edit your story for grammatical errors and format it to fit the design of the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What topics are covered?

We share lived experiences, medical advocacy, tools, and community support.

Who writes the blog posts?

Life experience posts come from people with real stories, advocates. Medical navigation posts are written by experts offering practical advice. All other posts are written by Rarely Ordinary Collection's creator, Baylie Phillips McClernan. All posts are edited by Baylie to fit the blog's theme.

How can I use the resources here?

You can find guides, tools, and support tips to navigate medical systems and empower yourself gently.

Is community involvement encouraged?

Absolutely, sharing and connecting is at the heart of this blog.

Do you offer language support?

Yes, we focus on validation and gentle empowerment through thoughtful language.

How often is new content published?

New posts appear weekly, blending fresh stories, advocacy tips, and practical resources for you.