33 - Emotional Recovery: The Unspoken Journey

Welcome back to Blended! In episode 33, the panel discusses emotional recovery; share their experiences & words of advice; and reflects on how we can open up conversations to better support others.

[01.07] Introductions to our Blended panelists. Melissa – Associate Partner of Finance & Supply Chain Transformation at IBM LaMondre – Speaker and CEO at Billion Strong Dan – Owner at High-Performance Logistics Sales Richard – Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Intelligent Audit [06.03] The guests share their different personal experiences of illness, surgery, and emotional recovery. Sarah’s experience with Lipoedema Lack of help/disbelief from medical practitioners Dan’s experience with throat cancer The journey of the caretaker Impact on relationships PTSD, anxiety, and depression Fear of returning to work Comparison LaMondre’s experience of spinal muscular atrophy Loss of ability Therapy How surgery can trigger past trauma Richard’s experience of caring for his father Denial Melissa’s experience with breast cancer Why people keep diagnoses a secret Ableism Changing perspectives Lack of understanding and awareness [54.20] The panel reflects on how we talk about illness and recovery, and how we can better support friends, family, and colleagues. Vulnerability Honesty Taking the burden of reaching out off the person suffering If you ask, be open to receiving the answer – whatever that is Different perspectives Showing people they’re loved Asking for help Practical support like bringing food Stigma and shame Secrecy and privacy [01.19.03] The group sums up their thoughts from today’s discussion.