There's More than just this Pain in this Life: Chronic Illness & Disability with Sydney Severance

Welcome to the second episode of The Sick Gaze podcast! On this compelling journey, we embark on a mission to shatter the silence surrounding invisible illnesses, amplify patient stories of enduring chronic pain, and dismantle the barriers within healthcare that disproportionately affect them. Today's guest is the wonderful Sydney Severance, a 19 year old Charlestonian, College of Charleston student, and activist living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, gastroparesis, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Dysautonomia. In this candid but lighthearted conversation with Sydney, she shares her history of illness, starting from being a totally healthy high school athlete to living in a dark room with no stimulus for years. Together, we dive into the complexities of societal perceptions of disability and how to manage changing friendships when people do not understand your life anymore. Sydney skillfully guides us through the nuances of living with illness when it's both invisible and visible, dealing with body image, and frankly, her gratitude and knowledge shine through. I really enjoyed doing this episode and speaking with Sydney. Through all of her loss and hardship, she has created purpose and a space for healing for others, not to mention she is just a lovely soul to be around!! Tune into this enlightening episode of The Sick Gaze to gain a deeper understanding of the invisible battles faced by many and to join the conversation on reshaping societal perceptions of chronic illness.

Follow @operationupright for more of Sydney's content!

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Chapters

• 0:05 Introduction

Transcript

- INTRODUCTION -

[Musical Intro]

MOLLY  00:05
Welcome to The Sick Gaze podcast. A series where we dive deep into the complexities of life with chronic illness, attempt to break down gendered barriers within healthcare, and advocate for disability justice. Drawing inspiration from Prof. Laura Mulvey’s feminist concept of ‘the male gaze,’ ‘the sick gaze’ challenges the existing narrative norms by offering a platform for diverse lived experiences. In a world where stories are often filtered through able-bodied perspectives, our podcast strives to bring visibility to invisible conditions. Join us as we navigate the complexities of life with chronic illness, fostering empathy, understanding, and ultimately, creating a community that embraces and validates the stories that have long remained in the shadows.