Facing Forward Stories shares real stories from parents and parents-to-be living with chronic illness and disability—highlighting both shared experiences and unique journeys. Through these voices, we offer connection, representation, and encouragement, reminding readers they’re not alone and that there’s no single way to keep facing forward. Living with multiple chronic conditions has taught Sam to prioritize what matters most, adapt when routines aren’t working, and let go of the rest. By planning ahead, leaning on an equal partnership, and staying flexible, she is focused on building a full life with her family—one where pain and a good day can coexist.…
Author: Sam Gorlewski
Sam Gorlewski
Sam Gorlewski is an Operations Manager from the Chicago suburbs where she lives with her husband and their two young daughters. She was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in 2015 and is passionate about living a full, happy life while prioritizing her health.
One evening during the 34th week of my first pregnancy, I was at home after a fantastic and relaxing day. Work was going well, my pregnancy was going well, I had just taken a hot shower and was resting on the couch with my dog and a smoothie. I felt calm, happy, and relaxed… when suddenly my heart started pounding fast. I was no stranger to a pounding heart from anxiety, but I wasn’t anxious at all! I checked my FitBit watch and saw my heart rate was at 160. That seemed impossible, but my heart was racing hard enough…
When I think of the newborn days of each of my daughters, I think of fire and ice. The fire is my first daughter, born leap day 2020 at the very beginning of the Covid Pandemic. My emotions were enormous and white hot – the ferocious, all-consuming love of being a mom to my new baby girl, the white-hot anxiety of being a first-time mom with no real idea of what I was doing, and the bright terror of having a newborn during a never-before-seen pandemic in which I was high-risk from asthma and planning on going back on immunosuppressants…