Breaking the Bubble: Logan Kelble’s TikTok & Instagram Revolution
Ever felt like someone looked at you through a stained‑glass window instead of actually seeing you? That’s the feeling many with chronic conditions get—until Logan Kelble decided to smash the glass and plaster a whole new picture of themselves online.
Who’s the 22‑Year‑Old Whispering Change?
- Full name & pronouns: Logan Kelble (they/them)
- Where: West Virginia, 22, rocking a colorful life with a feeding tube.
- Health background: Suffering from Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome (EDS) – a rare connective‑tissue disorder that comes with chronic pain.
Logan’s feed shows life as it is: dancing like no one’s watching, wearing bold, bright makeup, and proudly flaunting their feeding tube. The aim? Show the world that a disability does not define one’s worth or personality.
“I just wanted to make friends,” says Logan.
“I didn’t know anyone who had what I had, so I jumped onto TikTok and Instagram just to meet people. People treat us differently or pity us because of the feeding tube. We’re not physically the same, but mentally? We’re just as complex and clever.”
Joining Forces with Fellow Dylan
Logan isn’t alone. They team up with Nicole Spencer, a medical student battling the same EDS. Together, they lead a wave of young voices who are speaking up about mental and physical health, smashing stereotypes one post at a time.
Why Social Media Matters Right Now
While some say social media condiments “glossy highlights” that lower self-esteem, others (our new power‑couple) prove it can be spirit‑boosting. It’s all about intent—“scroll mindfully or skip the endless comparison.” That’s the mantra Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, a clinical psych coach, encourages.
“When you’re stuck in a flow of posts, you get the urge to compare—more likes, more likes. But if you pause, choose to actually spark conversations or plan a meetup, that’s when social media becomes real magic.”
Take the Brush to the Brush Strokes
Let’s still keep your scrolling sane: ditch the “scroll‑and‑compare” dance and invite real connections. Dance videos, bold cosmetics, a feeding tube—each post is a step forward in a world that’s finally learning to see beyond the disability.
<img alt="" data-caption="Nicole Spencer, 24, a medical student who suffers from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), is interviewed by Haley Carey, 24, about her medical condition, at her apartment in Syracuse, New York, US May 4, 2022. Carey also has POTS and met Spencer through social media. Both share their symptoms daily and support each other.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”e7f6d6e9-d6bc-4f39-92a8-8c2f1fa959b4″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/adult2.jpg”/>
Spencer’s Stitches: Turning Hospital Blues into Heart‑warming Glue
When 24‑year‑old Spencer, a medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University, found out she had EDS and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), the world’s gonna be a little more chaotic. Those conditions mess with blood flow, stealing energy and making everyday stretches feel like extreme gymnastics.
The Painful Reality
Yet, somewhere between anatomy lectures and restless nights, Spencer discovered a way to turn sheer scrolling into solid help. She launched Potsie Packs — an Instagram page that ships over 400 personalized care packages to kids and young adults battling chronic illnesses.
Potsie Packs: Power of a Package
Typical gifts? Electrolyte drinks and compression socks to keep the body humming. Fun items, like stickers or colored tape for feeding tubes, add a splash of joy. The recipients tell her: “I feel accepted. I’m part of the community now.”
- Electrolyte drink mixes
- Compression socks
- Stickers and patterned tape
- Everyday comfort blends
Social Media – The Dark & Light
Swipe‑right comes its own memes. Some TikTok and Reddit strangers attacked Spencer and a friend named Kelble, claiming they faked their ailments or used fake “tube‑on‑a‑stick.” Kelble shook her head, whispered “It’s absurd” and just blocked them.
Meanwhile, a Reuters reporter visited doctors, checked medical records, and filmed the duo navigating pills, concocting videos, and prepping for the digital world. Their chronic conditions lock them inside homes, so social platforms become lifelines to friends across the country.
Friendships Beyond Borders
What started as a DM turned into almost daily FaceTime—three friends, all battling chronic illnesses, hanging out while Spencer and Kelble wrangle meds. “They genuinely saved my life several times,” Kelble says.
- Daily FaceTimes
- Shared Amazon wishlist asks
- Friendly donations & goodies
Future Aspirations
After losing a childhood best friend to cancer, being diagnosed herself, and shipping homemade hope, Spencer’s post‑graduate dream is simple: become a pediatrician who speaks the language of kids and teens living with illness. “If I could make one kid feel less alone, that’s my dream,” she says.
