Episode 50 - Embracing My Disability

“Don’t say you're disabled” they said. These were comments Anna Samson received when they were using mobility aids to help them get through their daily tasks while living with a chronic illness. This week on Take a Pain Check, Anna Samson comes on the podcast to to talk about their life with Ankylosing Spondylitis and Fibromyalgia as a 23 year old. They start off the conversation by talking about their initial symptoms and explaining the 4 year wait to get a diagnosis. After receiving a diagnosis, Anna talks about their experience finding resources to help them understand their own conditions. Moreover, Natasha and Anna discuss the benefits of physiotherapy. The conversation progresses to talking about disability in different settings, specifically the blue and red seats on the TTC subway. Throughout Anna’s journey, they learned how to advocate for themselves in a health care setting and how they become more confident. Not only did they have to talk about their symptoms, but they had to “get better at talking to people.” Finally, Anna explains their involvement in Take a Pain Check as an ambassador, as well as their work in Health Union.

Next Joint Chat Rheum Session on Tuesday, August 16th at 7pm EDT: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsc-CvqDMtEtdQYezlNi8gJhkW5roy5_TK

Self-Advocacy Live: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb5sHwVIC8P/

Makeup Live: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaQI5eBKKTG/

Health Union: https://www.instagram.com/healthunion/ 

Check out Anna's socials:  Instagram @chronicallyillxo TikTok @chronicallyillxo Twitter: @chronicallyillx  

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Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara