“I didn’t realize I was ill until after my first daughter was born. A few days later, my body erupted in a blistering rash—from my feet to my chest, neck, and hands. I was covered in hives and blisters, lying in agony on the couch, too blistered to move. The pain was overwhelming, and caring for my newborn became a daily battle. It took nearly a year before a kind doctor finally identified my condition: Pemphigoid Gestationis. No cure. And likely to worsen with every pregnancy. Reading Hold Hope brought me back to those days of uncertainty and pain. Olivia’s words are a balm to anyone struggling through the unseen battles of chronic illness. She reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is hope to be found, and life can be lived—fully and bravely—right where we are.”
