How are you? 💜 [Image description: “Monday Check-In. How are you? This is your weekly check-in let us know how you're doing in the comments below” on a light green background with a flower in the corner alongside the text Alive with Chronic Illness].

[Image description: Beige lined notebook paper with black handwritten-style text that reads: “For everything you do, even when other people don’t see it. I’m so proud of you!”. The word “proud” is circled in red. At the bottom, smaller text says: “Alive with Chronic Illness.”]

On this months podcast episode we are joined by Dr Maria Garcia who shares her lived experience and reflections on a more inclusive future 🎙️.

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where Matthew talks about Assistive Technology 🎙️

[Image description: A cream-colored square card clipped to a fabric background with a small wooden clothespin. The card has black handwritten-style text that reads: “What three things have happened this week that you’re grateful for?” Below, in smaller text, it says: “Alive with Chronic Illness.”]

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where Matthew talks about Assistive Technology 🎙️

How are you? 💜 [Image description: “Monday Check-In. How are you? This is your weekly check-in let us know how you're doing in the comments below” on a light green background with a flower in the corner alongside the text Alive with Chronic Illness].

[Image description: A light pink background with red handwritten-style text that reads: “It’s okay to be ungrateful sometimes. Life is hard, but it is still beautiful.” Above the text is a small red heart outline. At the bottom, in smaller red letters, it says: “Alive with Chronic Illness.”]

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where Matthew talks about Assistive Technology 🎙️

[Image description: "Note to self" "Everyday you fight a battle no one else can see. Be kind to yourself" written on a pink piece of paper coming out of a blue open envelope.]

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where Matthew talks about Assistive Technology 🎙️

[Image description: "Pain relief should be a right, not something you have to fight for. There is no shame in wanting to be comfortable." on a light pink background with wildflowers as a border].

Tune in to our latest podcast episode where Matthew talks about Assistive Technology 🎙️

And just like that summer is drawing to a close and we are back with a new podcast episode. This month we are joined by Matthew Horspool who shares his experience and knowledge of assistive technology. Tune in now 🎙️.

Whilst the podcast takes a summer holiday, why not re-listen to some of your favourite episodes 🎙️

What is your body asking for? What do 𝘆𝗼𝘂 need? [Image description: "Take time to listen to your body, and give it all the compassion. love and rest it needs." written on a torn piece of lined paper, with "Alive with Chronic Illness" written at the bottom on top of an image of the ocean and beach.]

Whilst the podcast takes a summer holiday, why not re-listen to some of your favourite episodes 🎙️

Rest does not need to be earned, you 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 rest. [Image description: "You do not need to earn rest." with "not" underlined for emphasis on a pale white background designed to look like paper. "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written at the bottom centre.]

[Image Caption: “Take it day by day, moment by moment, take all the time you need” on a background of pink and purple pixilated clouds]

How are you? 💜 [Image description: “Monday Check-In. How are you? This is your weekly check-in let us know how you're doing in the comments below” on a light green background with a flower in the corner alongside the text Alive with Chronic Illness].

Disability isn’t always visible.

Whilst the podcast takes a summer holiday, why not re-listen to some of your favourite episodes 🎙️

[Image caption: "Lixxy's Top Tips", followed by "plan ahead so you go into each day knowing what your focus is" on a pale cream background with red stars]

How are you? 💜 [Image description: “Monday Check-In. How are you? This is your weekly check-in let us know how you're doing in the comments below” on a light green background with a flower in the corner alongside the text Alive with Chronic Illness].

In a world where enough is never enough, I take comfort in knowing that I have and always have been enough. Not when I reach that goal or achievement, not when I earn that qualification, but that I am inherently enough. That we have always been and always will be enough.

There's no shame in needing help, don't be afraid to ask for what you need.

You do not have to earn rest, it’s not a reward it’s essential. [Image caption “You do not have to earn rest” with “rest” underlined on a background image of blue water with oranges and lemons floating in it].

The Alive with Chronic Illness Podcast will be going on a summer holiday for two months, returning September 27th. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has joined us as a guest on the podcast, and to all of our listeners.

Being disabled is not a bad thing, an inaccessible society is.

[Image description: a white text box with "gentle reminders" in the search box a the top, and the text "Your symptoms are still valid, even if you don’t “look sick”." "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written under the text box, and the background is a painting of trees.]

How are you? 💜 [Image description: “Monday Check-In. How are you? This is your weekly check-in let us know how you're doing in the comments below” on a light green background with a flower in the corner alongside the text Alive with Chronic Illness].

It's okay to put your health first. [Image description: "It’s okay to set boundaries for your health." on a light beige textured background with a blue and green flower to the left of the quote. "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written at the bottom centre].

Other people's comfort is not your responsibility.

Super excited to share our latest podcast episode where I am joined by Scott Whitney founder of All 4 Inclusion 🎙️

With fluctuating conditions the cycle of grief can feel neverending, but despite navigating the cycle countless times I still haven't mastered the acceptance phase. Can you relate to grieving during a flare up?

In our most recent newsletter we share some resources that can help you prepare for medical appointments. The link to our newsletter can be found in the bio ✨

You are worthy of love and care ❤️ [Image description: "You are worthy of love and care." on a light beige textured background with a blue and green flower to the left of the quote. "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written at the bottom centre].

Societal perceptions of gender play a role in how we perceive ourselves, and the same can be said for how we see ourselves as disabled people. Men often experience pressure to be "strong" but being in pain is not a sign of weakness.

In our most recent newsletter we share some resources that can help you prepare for medical appointments. The link to our newsletter can be found in the bio ✨

[Image description: a white text box with "gentle reminders" in the search box a the top, and the text "To live with a chronic illness is to live with constant uncertainty. You deserve security." "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written under the text box, and the background is a painting of trees.]

A lot of us can relate to feeling validated and heard when we finally get a diagnosis, but often the journey to diagnosis can leave us wondering, are these symptoms real? It's hard to advocate for support and diagnosis when you don't feel believed.

In our most recent podcast episode Brian shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can read the recap on our Substack or listen to the episode in full via your favourite podcast app.

In our most recent podcast episode Brian shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can read the recap on our Substack or listen to the episode in full via your favourite podcast app.

[Image description: "You should never feel guilty for putting your health first." on a light beige textured background with a blue and green flower to the left of the quote. "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written at the bottom centre].

When Brian first heard of EDS he didn't know what it was but when he started researching he found that finally everything started connecting together. That moment of clarity and understanding that can follow a diagnosis can be so incredibly validating. How did you feel when you were diagnosed?

In our most recent podcast episode Brian shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can read the recap on our Substack or listen to the episode in full via your favourite podcast app.

In our most recent podcast episode Brian shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can read the recap on our Substack or listen to the episode in full via your favourite podcast app.

In our most recent podcast episode Brian shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. You can read the recap on our Substack or listen to the episode in full via your favourite podcast app.

[Image description: a white text box with "gentle reminders" in the search box a the top, and the text "You don't have to push through." "Alive with Chronic Illness" is written under the text box, and the background is a painting of trees.]

So excited to share this months podcast episode where I am joined by the lovely Brian who shares his experience of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome 🦓.