It was the unconscious bias," she said. "What was coming out were the cultural paradigms of the U.S. Air Force at that time, and the expectations abo… - Nicole Malachowski

“It’s ok to reminisce about the past, but not ruminate about it.

When I was a fighter pilot, when we would go into combat, which in a lot of ways is what we are in against this disease and the medical system that doesn't support us," she said. "I would say to my wingman before we would launch, "No matter what, be a help, not a hindrance. Ask yourself, is what I'm about to say or do going to be helpful? Or is it going to be a hindrance?"

Well, we don’t have Lyme disease in North Carolina, so it must be a spider bite.” Nicole surmised, “That was the day my life changed forever. That was the day I became chronically ill.”