Australian Sia is a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, who recently opened up on Twitter about her battle with the chronic disease called ‘Ehlers-Danlos syndrome’ .
Who is Sia?
Sia’s full name is Kate Isobelle Furler and she was born on 18th December 1975 in Adelaide, Australia. Her father Phil B. Colson is a musician who played with bands like Foreday Riders, Rum Jungle and Mount Lofty Ranger. Her mother, Loene Furler, was a singer-songwriter, musician and art teacher.
Sia began her career as a singer for a Jazz band called Crisp. She was featured on both albums ‘Word and the Deal’ and ‘Delerium’.
In 2000, Sia moved to London to embark on her solo career and signed her first record label with Sony Music Label. She released a second solo album called “Healing is Difficult”, which was a mixture of R&B and Jazz.
During her success as a solo artist, Sia also wrote songs for other singers like Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Katy Perry. She had a hard time adjusting to newfound fame and keeps her personal life out of the spotlight, which is why she regularly conceals her face underneath cropped wigs and big bows.
During her interview with the New York Times in 2014, she was asked the question about why she wears a wig, she said: “I just wanted to have a private life.” In 2015, Sia was nominated for four categories in the Grammy: Best performance of Solo Pop, Recording of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video.
What is Ehlers- Danlos syndrome?
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of disorders that affect the connective tissue supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many more organs and tissues. There are 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS). Many of them are rare, but the most common types of EDS are Hypermobile EDS, Classical EDS, Vascular EDS, and Kyphoscholiotic EDS.
As of now, there are no specific treatments for EDS but it is possible to manage the symptoms of these chronic diseases with proper support and advice from specialists. It's important for people who have EDS to be careful about certain activities that put a lot of strain on the joints. Swimming and Pilates are some of the best-recommended exercises to maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Sia struggle with mental health and EDS
During Sia's interview with Billboard in 2013, she revealed that in the year 2010, after contemplating suicide she began a 12-step program to better herself. “I got seriously addicted to Vicodin and Oxycodone, and I was always drinking but I didn’t know I was an alcoholic.”
In 2014, during her interview with the New York Times, she said “When you’re in a different place every day there’s this kind of madness that sets in. It’s easy to get away with getting high because everybody’s drinking on the road. None of my friends thought I was alcoholic and neither did I.”
On 11th September 2018, Sia tweeted on her official twitter account “Eight years sober today.
I love you, keep going. You can do it”.
One year later on 5th October 2019, she discussed her experience with EDS, “Hey, I’m suffering from chronic pain, a neurological disease, Ehlers-Danlos and I just wanted to say to those of you suffering from pain, whether physical or emotional. I love you, keep going. Life is hard. Pain is demoralizing, and you’re not alone”.
