We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Allison Tennyson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Allison below.
Alright, Allison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?
In 2020, my health declined, and I felt lost. Not only lost, I felt like I was going out of my mind. I finally made the decision to share my story on Instagram to find answers.
I started creating posts that centered around my health journey, and I loved it. I loved modeling and taking photos. I loved being able to figure out creative ways to share my story, as well as to educate and spread awareness. I loved the connection I had with others.
Looking back, I think the thing that has always kept me going is the impact my posts have on other people. I get comments, messages, emails, etc sent to me from people thanking me for helping them finally find an answer.
I decided early on that I wanted people to feel heard. I don’t participate in hate or negativity. I talk about the good and bad with chronic illness and disability, but I never do it by bringing other people down. That’s important to me.
I have created a safe and uplifting community over the last almost 3 years, and that means so much to me. My community is my family. And in the summer of 2022, I was able to make it my full time career.
It’s hard, but I love it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Allison, and I am from Minnesota. I have my degree in marine biology, and for many years I worked in veterinary medicine. That was until my health started to decline, and I was unable to continue in veterinary medicine.
After leaving veterinary medicine, I felt so lost. I started taking random positions in other fields, and I ended up actually working in disability services. When I was working in disability services, my health declined again dramatically. And I became disabled myself.
When my health dramatically declined in 2020, I had no idea what was happening to my body, and doctors were dismissing me.
So, I started sharing my story on Instagram to seek help. And it turned out to be so helpful. My followers diagnosed me before my docs, and I am still so amazed at the power of the internet.
I have a lot more answers about my health now; however, I still love to continue sharing my health journey while educating and advocating for chronic illnesses and disabilities.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I consider my followers (my audience) my family. I have known a lot of my followers for almost 3 years now. They have all watched me learn and grow. They have watched me struggle. They know me, and I think many of them see themselves in me.
My content is relatable, empowering, and educational, so people have really stuck around to continue following my journey. It’s so important to me to foster a safe and loving community, so I built my audience by being vulnerable and honest.
The chronically ill and disabled are typically isolated, so I have created a space for people to come and feel less alone.
My advice for anyone starting out is to be honest and take responsibility when you mess up, because you will mess up. Also, I think it’s important for people to keep in mind that not everyone is going to like you and that’s OK.
There will be bullying, harassment, and hate, so I also advise people to be very secure in who you are. People are going to say mean things, but when you can see the mean comments for what they really are – a person projecting their shortcomings on you – they are less upsetting.
Don’t take anything personal. Don’t ever defend yourself. And always protect your peace.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to educate and spread awareness about chronic illness and disability, and to empower others to advocate for themselves.
I want people to learn to trust themselves again. After being medically gaslighted for years, people start to doubt themselves, people stop believing in themselves. So my goal is to help people relearn how to trust themselves through validation and community.
When my followers tell me that they finally received a diagnosis or that they are now using mobility aids with confidence, I know I’m on the right track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/microcatmachine
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/microcatmachine
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.Tiktok.com/@microcatmachine
Image Credits
Myself