When Jacqueline City went to a concert in high school, she didn’t know that her life was about to change forever. At the time, Jacqueline was 18 and living in Philadelphia. But at the concert, reports the South Philly Review, something happened. Jacqueline got hit so hard in the head by a flying elbow that she got a concussion and post-concussion syndrome. As the hospital continued testing her, doctors discovered more: lasting brain damage and dysautonomia. Because dysautonomia can affect blood pressure, Jacqueline was also left with permanent heart damage.
Admittedly, it took time for Jacqueline to be able to get back into the swing of things. In fact, it took years. But the now 23-year-old never let her spirits fall. Instead, she poured her energy into her genuine love of fashion, both designing and modeling. At first, she started mostly online: Facebook, Instagram, a few online boutiques. However, when Jacqueline got noticed, she got noticed big time.
Jacqueline City Apparel
Eventually, after selling her clothes in smaller online venues, Jacqueline launched her own company called Jacqueline City Apparel. According to the website, Jacqueline City Apparel is described as:
a new approach to fashion, your golden ticket cohesive, inclusive clothing and on-trend looks, as featured in Vogue.
Only one week after her website launched, Jacqueline was invited to New York Fashion Week as someone to watch. She made her debut that February. Next, she was invited to Paris Fashion Week. Although this event was delayed, thanks to COVID-19, Jacqueline hopes to attend next year.
Her brand links back to her roots and her experience. It is deeply inclusive, with items for men and women, unisex items, children’s clothing, and even sizes from XS to 5X. She wants people to feel heard and represented, an issue she experienced during her journey to diagnosis. Much like many patients with rare conditions, Jacqueline didn’t feel as though doctors were listening to her. Now, she wants everyone to know that they are heard and that their voices are important, that they have a home in Jacqueline City Apparel.
Dysautonomia
Technically, dysautonomia is not its own condition. Rather, it encompasses several different conditions linked to a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system (ANS). Examples of dysautonomia include baroreflex failure (BF), multiple system atrophy (MSA), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS). However, there are 15 separate dysautonomias altogether.
Over 70 million people across the globe have dysautonomia. Because it affects the ANS, symptoms vary. Patients may experience changes in heart rate, blood pressure, pupil dilation, digestion, temperature control, kidney function, sexual arousal, and more. Dysautonomia prevents the body from regulating muscle and tissue symptoms. As a result, patients may experience lightheadedness and fainting, high blood pressure, malnutrition, and even organ damage. Learn more about dysautonomia.
