Hard Truths about Chronic Illness, Vulnerability, and Escaping the Victim Mindset with Dr. Sandra Slater

YOUR CHRONIC ILLNESS FAIRY GODMOTHER HAS ARRIVED!!!!! In one of the most REAL episodes yet, I sit down with Dr. Sandra Slater, a professor of history and sexuality studies at the College of Charleston living with a variety of genetic chronic illnesses that have affected her throughout her whole life. Sandra shares her deeply personal story with many painful conditions, outlining her diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome as a teenager when she showed up to the doctors office with a full chest of hair. The stigma of gender nonconformity left her in shame spirals until she broke free of this mindset and has since embraced the beauty and unique nuances of her body and self. Reframing her sense of self from a "sick person" to a "person with sickness", she reveals how she has managed to break free of what she felt was a limiting mindset to embrace the true diversity of her life. In todays discussion, Sandra skillfully walks us along the line between vulnerability and individual responsibility, as well as grieving the old self versus living in self-pity. She takes us on her journey of acceptance for life's challenges and hardships, letting go of the common "martyr complex", and learning the self-validation that leads to empowerment. 

Thank you to Sandy for a great episode. This is SO relatable for us chronically ill folks, and I wish you were around as my chronic illness fairy godmother when I was first diagnosed!

NOTE: We do speak about female sexuality in this episode! ahhh scary! (Age warning: not for children's ears!) 

Take care of your spoons!
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