Andrea Carstensen, a double Master's student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Sunflower Friend.

Andrea discovered the Sunflower at Gatwick Airport after moving from the US to the UK for university. As a young person living with non-visible chronic health conditions, she shares her journey from Sunflower lanyard user to advocate. Through high-level UN advocacy and campus policy reform, Andrea has successfully championed the adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at LSE through the Student Union, ensuring a legacy of inclusivity that extends beyond her time at the university.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please get in touch with your healthcare practitioner.

For information:

• Learn more about the Sunflower hdsunflower.com

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Erin Philpott shares her journey with Stargardt disease, revealing how she navigated diagnosis as a teenager and now balances motherhood while advocating for invisible disabilities in the workplace and beyond.
• Erin faces significant daily challenges with transportation as a legally blind mother to a five-year-old
• Often encounters misconceptions as she doesn't "look blind" without using a cane or guide dog
• Erin chairs an employee-led committee advocating for disability, accessibility and inclusion
• Erin emphasises that accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities
• Advocates for building accessibility into initial designs rather than adding as afterthoughts
• Challenges the stigma that disability means limitation: "Make it accessible and we'll come in droves"

Please keep the conversation going via our Website, on Facebook, or on Instagram.

We welcome Sean Ewart and Manny Caro from the Spondylitis Association of America to provide an overview of Spondyloarthritis (SpA), a family of closely related inflammatory diseases that affect millions worldwide yet remain significantly under-recognised and diagnosed. Despite affecting more people than rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ALS combined, SpA struggles with awareness.

The primary disease in this family is ankylosing spondylitis (AS), also known as axial spondyloarthritis. This condition primarily affects the spine but can impact other joints throughout the body. Primary symptoms include inflammatory back pain, stiffness, reduced flexibility, fatigue, and sometimes spinal fusion.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please get in touch with your healthcare practitioner.

For support and information:

• Spondylitis Association of America
• National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society UK
• Arthritis Ireland
• Axial Spondylitis Support Program Australia

Hosted by Chantal Boyle and Lynn Smith, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Terri Louise Brown has Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS), experiencing frequent relapses and daily pain. In this conversation, Terri shares her journey from MS diagnosis at 27 to founding the charity Talks With MS. The charity provides community support for those living with multiple sclerosis.

Cultural attitudes in BAME communities can create barriers to seeking medical help for chronic conditions, which is why Terri is committed to being the voice for the voiceless and encouraging people to seek medical and emotional support.

We discuss how her personal experiences as a Black woman navigating disability have shaped her passionate advocacy for greater accessibility, representation, and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please get in touch with your healthcare practitioner.

For support and information:

• Talks With MS
• MS Society UK
• MS Ireland
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society USA
• MS Plus Australia
  
  

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Saran Chamberlain shares her journey as a young stroke survivor, from experiencing a life-changing event at 38 to becoming a national advocate for the stroke community.

• Initially misdiagnosed as a migraine, the stroke left her entire left side paralysed with no sensation
• Saran discusses the challenges of identity shift and the unseen deficits like fatigue, depression, and sensory overload
• Highlights the isolation younger stroke survivors often face in healthcare and rehabilitation settings
• Saran works on research co-design, speaks openly about stigma, and supports other survivors as a mentor.
• Emphasises the importance of meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience in research using "nothing about us without us" principles
• Believes in taking small wins and finding hope in the lifelong journey of post-stroke life

Visit our website or find us on Facebook and Instagram

Join us as we welcome Shaylee Raye Hunter, Miss Petite Utah, who shares her journey as an advocate for women's rights and disability visibility. Shaylee opens up about her personal lived experiences with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), gastroparesis, and short bowel syndrome. In an open discussion, she shares how she manages her health conditions with medical interventions, such as a feeding tube and TPN, providing a unique glimpse into her life and the lifeline she depends on daily to receive the nutrients essential to life.

We learn about the challenges Shaylee faced at school due to the assumptions made by other students about her health, as well as the subsequent difficulties she encountered in dating and the workplace.

Shaylee is passionate about advocating for disability visibility through her pageant platform.

If you're interested in any topics and advice discussed in this podcast, please follow up with your GP or healthcare practitioner.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please get in touch with your healthcare practitioner.

Hosted by Chantal Boyle and Lynn Smith, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Téa Runback shares her personal journey living with multiple invisible disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and a collection of autoimmune conditions, while highlighting the barriers faced in healthcare and employment settings.

Kate Middleton, CEO of The Wren Project, joins us for a special edition as part of the Podcasthon, which seeks to spotlight thousands of charities.

In this episode, Kate shares her personal journey with multiple autoimmune diseases and explains how the body attacks itself instead of viruses. The Wren Project pairs individuals with dedicated volunteers for up to six months of regular support. It provides vital mental health support through dedicated listening services to those living with these often non-invisible conditions, giving an essential lifeline to address and support feelings of isolation and loneliness.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast, please contact your healthcare practitioner.

For support and information:

• The Wren Project

Discover more episodes as part of Podcasthon:

• Podcasthon
  
  

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and share it to increase awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities.

Find out more about the Sunflower by visiting the website hdsunflower.com

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website