Spotting a Zebra

How do you visually introduce a Zebra? Do you write that they are striped equines? Bad joke, I know, but it does bring up an interesting point. 

hEDS is an invisible disability, but there are visible elements you can use to signal that your characters are Zebras. Confused yet? I'll try to clarify. You cannot actually see hEDS, nor can you tell that someone has hEDS by looking at them, but there are a few visual clues you can use to hint that your character is a Zebra. 

However, it's important to note that none of these things are 100% exclusive to hEDS, as there are any number of reasons a character could have most of these. Also, even if you used every single thing I am about to list out, very few people would think of hEDS when reading your character description. Because of this, I would always recommend explicitly stating that your character has hEDS, though I realize that this isn't always practical when you are first introducing a character. I actually introduced a Zebra character in Alpaca Trouble, but you won't find that diagnosis anywhere in the book, though I do plan to share their diagnosis explicitly in the next book in the series... though I have no idea of when I'm actually going to write it.

Now, onto the post!

Most hEDS Zebras have very fragile skin, so your character may have a lot of bandages. Also, basically every Zebra I know is riddled with stretch marks. Easy bruising can also be a symptom, so your character may very well have a handful of bruises. It's also quite common for Zebras to have long limbs (especially arms) and digits.

Dislocations and subluxations (basically a partial dislocation) are common with hEDS, and many Zebras also struggle with other types of injuries, such as sprains and broken bones. So we often sport some combination of casts, braces, or bandages wrapped around our joints. Many Zebra have an impressive collection of braces for all different parts of the body, though some Zebras may have more issues with one part of their body, such as their knees, so it's also possible that most of their braces and wraps will be for that spot.

Some Zebras also use mobility aids, either part-time or all the time; these can include canes, forearm crutches, rollators, wheelchairs, or even something else. And even if your character doesn't use a mobility aid right now, they could start using one later, if/when their symptoms start getting worse. 

Additionally, if your character had POTS, they might use compression socks, an abdominal compression wrap, or even a corset to help treat symptoms. On top of this, they'd likely have some sort of smart tech to help them monitor their heart rate if they can afford it, and most likely, they would also carry a water bottle or sports drink.

A Zebra print awareness ribbon can also signal EDS in general (as well as several other conditions), and many people also accessorize with Zebra-print as a way of embracing their condition. Even if your character isn't typically the awareness ribbon type, they might wear a Zebra-print ribbon during May: EDS Awareness Month, or any number of ribbons for their EDS or comorbid conditions during July: Disability Pride Month. 

I do want to emphasize that every Zebra is different here. Some people are fine without so much as a brace in their everyday lives, while others struggle to leave their houses due to pain and joint instability. Actually, hEDS symptoms can be so dynamic that both of these examples could illustrate the same person at different points in their life! This is just a very basic overview of the many, many different ways hEDS can make itself visible.