In a lengthy Instagram post, the 'Girls' creator explains that she chose not to be embarrassed by the paparazzi snaps of her looking dishevelled since she is struggling with chronic illness.
- Nov 5, 2019
AceShowbiz - Actress Lena Dunham is using a cane to help her walk as she deals with a flare-up of connective tissue disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
The "Girls" creator and star was recently snapped by paparazzi wearing a nightgown and slippers as she made her way to a car with the help of a walking aid, and over the weekend (November 02-03), she decided to embrace the image by sharing it on her Instagram page as she explained the reason for her dishevelled appearance to fans online.
In a lengthy caption, the 33-year-old, who previously detailed her endometriosis struggle, revealed she has chronic ailment Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and is currently battling a flare-up.
"I could choose to be embarrassed by these paparazzi pics - I mean, that's probably the point of someone publishing them in the first place - but I'm really not," wrote Dunham, who is known for the candid nature of her posts.
"I could lie and say it was an early Halloween look... But the truth is just: This is what life is like when I'm struggling most with chronic illness."
Dunham, who had just been at a doctor's appointment, went on to address her use of the cane, admitting she had tried to avoid relying on one for ages: "An Ehler-Danlos syndrome flare means that I need support from more than just my friends... so thank you, sweet cane!" she continued.
"For years, I resisted doing anything that would make my physical situation easier, insisting that a cane would 'make things weird.' But it's so much less weird to actually be able to participate than to stay in bed all day."
EDS weakens the tissues which support bones, skin, blood vessels, and other organs, and can cause sufferers to bruise easily, scar abnormally, and have loose joints and fragile bones.
