Written by Kevin Alexander, Storyteller, Musician, PKU Advocate, Podcaster

“I’m not trying to live a ‘normal’ life. Normal is overrated. I’m trying to live my life.”

I had that thought yesterday and had to write it in my journal just now.

I’ve been different since the day I was born. And for a long time, I tried to hide that fact. Not talk about PKU. Not make a big deal out of it. Pretend it didn’t bother me as a kid when others would make fun of me for eating different. Just blend in. At all costs.

But over time, I stopped caring about that. The more I shared my experiences of living with PKU, the more I realized…

I may eat differently, but there’s nothing wrong with ME.

Yes, telling my story helped me realize that. But the biggest change in my life came when I finally met others with PKU. And I realized I wasn’t alone.

Others may look at our lives and say they aren’t normal.

I look at our lives and say they’re amazing.

Yes, we struggle. It can be really hard, for some more than others.

But there’s a reason I say, “we’re all in this together.”

Because when you grow up feeling like you’re not normal in a society that values “normalcy” above all else…

It’s extremely isolating.

My life is my life. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If this PKU lifestyle is rough for you, reach out to someone. There are so many amazing people in our community who put themselves out there because they want to help others.

We all want to feel like we belong.

And in this community, which is an amazing and beautiful gathering of people from all over the world…

Everyone belongs.

Everyone.