Food Pharmacy story
Small Steps, Big Changes
Change is never easy, especially when you don’t see results right away. Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease turned my world upside down. Accepting the diagnosis was hard, but watching my body change in ways I couldn’t control was even harder. Despite my efforts, the medications caused weight gain, and the physical limitations were overwhelming.
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Simple tasks became struggles. Walking from my bed to the bathroom felt like climbing a mountain. I constantly searched for the closest parking spot, not just at work, but everywhere. Doing “normal” things no longer felt normal.
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But slowly, things began to shift.
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In July of last year, I found the strength to move again. I returned to swimming, something I once loved, and made it a priority. Each small effort felt like a victory.
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Then in December, I attended a lunch hosted by Main Street Marketplace and learned about the Food Pharmacy. That day was a turning point. With the support of Susan, the Food Pharmacy Coordinator, I felt seen, understood, and not alone.
Through Susan’s encouragement and the program’s support, my energy improved. I stopped stressing about the nearest parking spot. Now I park farther away on purpose. My A1C dropped from 5.8 to 5.3 in just three months.
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Walking with Susan on Fridays became more than exercise. It became a source of connection. I’ll never forget our first walk: I was winded and unsure I’d finish. Now we walk, we talk, and I still have energy left. My swim time improved too, from 30 breathless minutes to under 20.
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And then, I saw it. The change. I’ve lost 15 pounds. My clothes fit better, but more importantly, I feel stronger, more in control, and hopeful.
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There are still hard days. Days that I don’t feel like walking or swimming. But I do it anyway. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it.
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Healing is easier with support. I’m so grateful for my family, and for Susan, whose patience and guidance through the Food Pharmacy made a lasting difference.
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Now I know even the smallest steps can lead to the biggest changes.
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Submitted by a 2025 Food Pharmacy Participant