A woman claims Imgur users diagnosed her chronic disease before doctors could

As many people know, three and a half years ago I underwent two hip surgeries in order to be able to dance again. Today, I got an email from a young dancer who is going through the same surgery. She expressed her fear and apprehension of going under the knife to her surgeon (who was my surgeon as well,) and he gave her my email. He told her that I was in the same boat as she was, young and terrified, and said that if she had any questions or if she needed proof that the surgery works, I was the one to talk to, because look at me now. I can dance. Not only can I dance, but I am a better and stronger dancer than I ever imagined I would be. It brings such warmth to my heart that after not knowing if I would be able to walk, I can now inspire others with my story. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped me along this terrifyingly amazing journey, I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today without the help of all of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. "Never quit your day dream." #dance #dreamer #survivor #neverquit #neverquityourdaydream #surgery #hipsurgery #injury #illneverstopdancing

A photo posted by Cheyenne Adele 🌹 (@cheyadelerose) on Mar 4, 2016 at 2:04am PSTMar 4, 2016 at 2:04am PST

Her first injury occurred at age 12, according to her Imgur story. After that, her injuries only became more frequent. When she was 16, Rose says she was confined to a wheelchair because of intense hip pain and had to undergo surgery. She had no idea if she would ever walk or dance again.

Three years and multiple surgeries later, she was still dancing, but soon began to experience headaches, back pain, black outs, and more.

"I thought maybe if there's anybody out there going through what I am maybe they'll find some comfort in that I'm still dancing," she tells Tech Insider about her decision to post about her struggle on Imgur.

Here's her original story in full, which was seen by nearly 190,000 people on Imgur and was upvoted to the front page of the site: 

But in addition to support, Rose also says she received the beginning of a diagnosis. 

Though some people told her simply to stop dancing, an overwhelming amount of people began commenting on her original post or reaching out to her directly suggesting that she look into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Hyper Mobility Type III.

After doing some research and contacting her doctor, Rose says she got tested and discovered she has the genetic disease that affects connective tissues in the body.

She thanked Imgur users in a follow-up post on May 12. "Thank you, Imgur, from the bottom of my heart, you have helped me find closure in one part of my life," she wrote.

There is no cure for the disease, so Rose says the only thing to do is treat her symptoms. For her specific case, she explains that means surgery to tighten up stretched-out ligaments that have no elasticity. The California State University Fullerton theater major is having a surgery this summer to repair a shoulder damaged by the disease.

"It can kind of masquerade as a lot of different things," Rose explains. That's partly why it's so difficult to diagnose, she says — the individual symptoms don't necessarily point to the disease, and it manifests itself differently in everyone. 

"It's nice having a name for it," she says. "At first it didn't hit me as anything shocking because it's been something I've been dealing with my whole life."

The disease is a "double-edged sword" as Rose calls it: The very thing that makes her body so flexible and tall (she's 5'10'') with long lines perfect for dance also threatens her dance career altogether. 

But at least for now, she's still doing what she loves.

"I've definitely been more cautious, I'm very aware of my body, what hurts, what doesn't but as long as I can dance I'm not going to stop," she tells Tech Insider. "Not yet at least."