Dear Laura, I have also experienced the same thoughts and feelings. I am in graduate school and know the stares and confused look people respond with. I try not to take it personally and accept that they cannot understand what I am going through, especially considering I look normal. I also get comments from my parents, similar to yours, and it just reinforces that others cannot understand what we are going through. Instead I live for an audience of One, knowing that God understands what I am experiencing. It is so difficult for me to people do the things I cannot do anymore. However, I try to remember to share in other's joy. If I can't do the things I love, I'd at least like someone to be able to do them. I live with the hope that I can get better at any moment. The doctors don't know if I will have this for the rest of my life, 25 years, or get over it quickly. And I chose to take the more positive look that this could end at any moment, that 10 years from now I may be cycling up a hill with my bedridden POTS years far behind me. My prayers are with you as you go to Stanford. I hope it will be fruitful, providing you answers and a sense of hope.