Fire in My Veins: Blazing through Life with Invisible Illness

Representation, Validation, and Beautiful Spoons

If you are low on spoons and can only make it to one show this Fringe, make sure it’s this one! Fire In My Veins made me feel so seen as a chronically ill, disabled individual. I absolutely cackled at the parts that were incredibly relatable, I cried listening to Allison talk about experiences that reflected my own (experiences often overlooked by society), and I loved her description of the "before" and "after" of being chronically ill. Allison’s awareness of the impact her show has on her peers was evident, as she was waiting for me and my tears at the end of the show with two big hugs. Her consideration in seeking my consent before giving me those hugs was another hug in itself. I felt so validated by her bravery in discussing the unique experience of those of us who were already chronically ill before the onset of the COVID pandemic. Within our community, there was a lot of bitterness and trauma brought up by the way that the nondisabled suddenly made the world accessible in ways that had been advocated for in the past, and witnessing the regression over the past two years to make it inaccessible again redoubled those feelings. I appreciate the discomfort felt by nondisabled audience members upon hearing Allison speak our truth. For many of us with chronic illness, the COVID pandemic simply exposed the rest of the world to the way we always live. I encourage those who feel offended to reflect on the value of hearing our experiences voiced. I encourage you to consider the fact that chronically ill and disabled audience members rejoice at hearing her voice our experience, and to consider what it would be like if the conditions of the pandemic never stopped. That is the point. That is why Alison includes it, and I hope you can use that discomfort to grow in your intersectional understanding of marginalized communities.

Simply - Don't miss this

Allison is a seasoned storyteller and it shows. Sharing a deeply personal aspect of her life is always a challenge. Allison uses her personal experience to give you a great story that also educates you. You owe it to yourself to see this show.

Get Ready To Feel… Everything

Talk about weaving a story. More than a story, a life! She takes you on a journey of health issues while making you entertained and informed, the main issue. Thoughtful, heartbreaking, funny, genuine and beautifully done.

Great storytelling, poor logistics, less depth

We were on the fence about seeing this, but Allison's storytelling chops and awards and her preview put this on our 'see' list. I'll note that we started on the wrong foot, since my sister and I are Fringers who start on our schedule on 1 July and optimize it until the last day of Fringe every year. So we were pretty surprised when we were told this was going to be a 90-minute show "because IP shows are allowed to do that." Wow, kinda messed with our day's schedule (I'll concede that was included on the web site, but only on the More Info page). Then there was the 'Strike Crowd" attending each others' shows, laughing loudly,and not feeling very welcoming to us outsiders in many ways. But we do want to comment on Allison and her show. Allison's storytelling was excellent, though we typically stay away from the "illness (invisible or not) has upset my life plan and it isn't fair" stories and appreciate those stories that eventually find a journey through the sadness and pain (and, frankly, the spoons didn't do it for us). Without the "Strike issues," this would have been a 4, but as Allison has a strong connection with Strike, we'll knock it to a 3.5

Great Story About Spoonies

A real raw look into the life of someone with chronic illness, particularly auto immune disease. It was funny and captivating. A good lesson on spoon theory as well for those that are new. If you know someone who is chronically ill (or even if you don't), this is a good way to get a peek into a spoonie's life.

A gem

Allison is a local and national storytelling gem and this is simply the most personal and emotional show she's ever put together. Go see it, unless you love missing great work.

a story with substance

you go on a trip with this story, laughs, worry, feels. we’re lucky to have allison here, as a great storyteller, and in general just existing in our space!

Five Spoons To Boost Energy

I also have often invisible disabilities, and it was my partner who taught me the "you only have so many spoons" analogy while we were watching Astra on Netflix. Allison's story is so honest, so raw, so funny, because she blatantly takes the shame out of talking about so many things by diving into forbidden topics again and again and again. By doing that she builds spoons for others within or silently beyond disability communities. If you enjoyed this show or didn't get to see this show, come to Strike Theatre's Story Slam. Thanks Allison for everything you do!

A Gem

Allison is a wonder. She has woven this touching and funny and heartbreakingly personal story about her struggles, trying to find competent and compassionate care for the fire in her veins. I am so glad that she has survived this struggle. She has given so much to the slam poetry and storytelling community. Hearing her chronicle the prospective suitors on the way to her husband, Marlow, were some of the most charming parts of the play. Shine on, Allison, you awesome ‘possum. You are so much cooler than the ice pack in your opening monologue; you’ve helped advise and support so many artists over the years. I’m so glad that this show is enjoying the success it deserves.

Funny

Allison's stories are always hilarious! She is a masterful storyteller. She connects to her crowd well. I personally struggled with the part where she talked about how COVID leveled the playing field- as COVID was traumatic as hell for us all- but I suppose I see where she was coming from. I also liked the spoons in the background. They looked fun to color.

Spoonies Unite!

Allison’s show sold out its original run for a reason, y’all. She is one of the best storytellers in the Twin Cities — delivering a well written piece about her extremely personal experience in a dynamic and non-preachy way. Relatable. Funny. Honest. Powerful. I personally have a chronic autoimmune condition, and it’s so rare that our stories are amplified. Thank you, Allison, for making your invisible illness visible. For all of us out here. Use one of your spoons to see this show. It will be worth it.

The kind of story that needs to be told

This is a story that needs to be told, not because it's hard to hear, but because it's hard NOT to hear it. When it's over, you'll long to know what lies invisibly under the surface of your friends', coworkers', family members', and strangers' smiles. If you're not chronically ill, you'll get a window into a whole new piece of the human experience that you'll not likely learn about anywhere else. If you are chronically ill, you will hear your thoughts, fears, and life experience echoed back to you in moving, undeniable clarity. When you have invisible illness, it's easy to gaslight yourself into thinking you don't really have a problem even though everything about your life has changed forever. In watching Allison, I was finally able to see myself. Thanks for sharing your limited spoons with us, Allison!

Well, damn.

An intense, and intensely human, experience. Allison is an outstanding storyteller and she uses her time weaving a frightening, funny, and important narrative about her experiences with chronic illness. Just an astounding hour of theater.