​Award-winning author, chronic illness advocate, and community producer for The Mighty, Kat Harrison's mission is to show people that they are never alone in life with chronic illness.  

Despite struggling with a debilitating balance disorder, oscillopsia, which has made her vision bounce since the age of 15, Kat dove headfirst into life.

Kat started as an editorial writer in NYC but has recently authored two children’s books on chronic illness. Her first publication was the award-winning, Surgery on Sunday, and her second (and my favorite), Migraine and Mia.

Today’s conversation covers Kat’s diagnosis story and what it was like to be saddled with a debilitating chronic condition. Kat gives invaluable insights on how to cultivate empathy, strength, and determination in life with chronic illness. Finally, we cover why Kat decided to write about chronic illness for children. 

Kat's story is one of true inspiration and an example of what you can accomplish when you refuse to give up. It was a pleasure to spend time with Kat and I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did.
Kat Harrison's Instagram: @xokat

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Your vestibular system is critical for balance and spatial orientation so what happens when this vital system goes offline? Imagine experiencing double vision, vertigo, frequently falling and feeling like the horizon moves as you walk.
These are all symptoms of vestibular dysfunction, something that as many as over 35% of adults over the age of 40 experience. Treating vestibular symptoms can be complicated and often the most successful treatment plans include a multimodal approach, and that’s where vestibular physical therapy comes into play.
Today’s guest, vestibular physical therapist, Dr. Madison Oak, will give you a preview of what vestibular physical therapy is, who can benefit from it, and the best ways to incorporate it into your treatment plan. We also examine the truly revolutionary concept of neural adaptation and more specifically, positive and negative neuroplasticity. It’s a concept that will inform you on how you can take direct action to retrain your brain and improve your symptoms.
It was a joy to be able to sit down with Madison and leverage her expertise to provide unparalleled insights into all things vestibular function.
Madison Oak's Instagram: @thevertigodoctor Find a vestibular provider in the U.S. : https://vestibular.org/healthcare-directory/ Find a vestibular provider in the U.K.: https://www.acpivr.com/find-a-physio/ Madison Oak’s Website: https://thevertigodoctor.com/
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https://youtu.be/lXDn-prUm3Y

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/thechronicpod

Who should see a registered dietitian? What supplement brands should we trust? What is the difference between a trigger food, a food sensitivity, and an allergy? What supplements should you try if you have migraine? How does your gut health impact your brain?
​
If you are looking for science-backed, professional insight into all of these questions, then you are in the right place. 

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50sbF0vyCNuUmW0gfixVdH...
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https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-chronic.../id1571232117
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https://anchor.fm/.../The-Migraine-Dietitian--Kelli-Yates...

About The Migraine Dietitian: 
Kelli Yates is a private practice Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) specializing in migraine and gut health. She was inspired to pursue natural interventions for migraine after dealing with her own diagnosis for over two decades and knowing medications could not be the only solution. Kelli is passionate about promoting a personalized approach for migraine care, empowering people living with migraine. She promotes evidence-based information and makes gut health interesting, accessible, and fun.

Kelli's Website: https://kelliyatesnutrition.com/
Kelli's Instagram: @the.migraine.dietitian
Supplement companies mentioned: 
Life Extension
Pure encapsulations 

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Morgan's Instagram: @lifewithmigraine

A powerhouse of patient advocacy and empowerment. Tori Ford is the founder and executive director of the award-winning nonprofit, Medical Herstory.
Tori is on a mission to eliminate sexism, shame, and stigma from health experiences, and she is an outspoken sexual health advocate whose work has been featured by UNWomen.
She holds a BA from McGill University in Gender Studies, a master's from the University of Cambridge in Health, Medicine, and Society, and as if that wasn’t enough she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Primary Health Care at the University of Oxford.
Her work on advancing gender health equity has been recognized by the McGill Scarlet Key Award and the University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Social Impact Award.
Today’s conversation centers around Tori’s experience with chronic yeast infections and how years of being dismissed and not receiving adequate treatment led her to founding medical herstory to empower patients, educate doctors and enact change in healthcare. We also discuss the challenges of the current medical systems and the value of educating medical school students on how to remove sexism, stigma, and shame from medical care.
https://medicalherstory.com/
https://www.instagram.com/medicalherstory/?hl=en

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Morgan's Instagram: @lifewithmigraine

Are you frustrated with the healthcare system? No system is perfect, we know that, but just because perfection may be out of reach it doesn't mean that we should still strive for progress.

If you are frustrated with the healthcare system, whether your frustration stems from insurance policies or the healthcare system structure itself, there is one direct way to enact change - policy. It takes direct interaction with our policy leaders and representatives both at the state and federal level to create enough motivation for them to vote on, propose and support healthcare reform legislation. 

You might think, this doesn't apply to me. I don't have the time, money, or energy to help. However, it doesn't take big action or big effort. It can be incredibly small actions. Even just sending an email can create ripples that together create waves of change. 
​
If you don't believe me, take the word of today’s guest - Terry Wilcox. A change maker and patient advocate for over 17 years. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of Patients Rising which is a non-profit patient education and advocacy organization that helps patients get access to essential diagnostics and the treatments they need. 
Today’s conversation touches on 4 action items you can take to help enact change in healthcare with minimal resources, How we can make insurance policies be more patient-forward, and the Top resources to stay up to date on  U.S. healthcare news.

Listen to my conversation with Terry Wilcox - 
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Morgan's Instagram: @lifewithmigraine

Terry's Resources: 
Patients Rising Podcast - How to Design Better Health Insurance with Dave Chase
https://patients-rising-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/holiday-special-how-to-design-better-health-insurance-MD9jA2od
Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases
https://everylifefoundation.org/
Patients Rising: Get help, resources, and guidance
https://www.patientsrising.org/get-help/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqbyNBhC2ARIsALDwAsALOUAkBTABWfQkoqdWlZjiO7Jioc0dsyQs7xmyzI7K7yhTt9oVsRgaAhShEALw_wcB
Patients Rising Now Master Advocacy Course
https://patientsrisingnow.org/advocacy-master-class/
Patients Rising Podcast
https://www.patientsrisingpodcast.org/

You can watch this episode on YouTube! 
Click HERE

Rest. Re-root. Redefine - three words that encapsulate Alicia’s journey starting as a successful luxury brand designer, through devastating health challenges with chronic vestibular migraine, and finally, stepping into a new persona known as, The Dizzy Cook.

Alicia Wolf is a mom, businesswoman, chronic vestibular migraine patient, and author of the stunning cookbook, “The Dizzy Cook”.

If you find yourself in the midst of health struggles, mental or physical, and are debating about taking time away from your career or current life path, if you are thinking of stepping off the tantalizing treadmill of success and achievement, then you are in the right place to listen to and learn from someone who was in your shoes not long ago.

Furthermore, if you have considered trying an elimination and reintroduction diet for migraine or vestibular disorder symptoms, but have found the diet to feel overwhelming, difficult, and restrictive, then Alicia’s insights into making the elimination diet sustainable, convenient, and easy to follow will help you embrace your inner home cook and give you the best shot at seeing symptom reduction.

Alicia’s new cookbook will be out in October of 2022 (just in time for Christmas!), listen in to hear more, and be sure to mark your calendars!

 Alicia's Website: thedizzycook.com/

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I hope you enjoy this episode!
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Podcast website: https://thechronicpod.weebly.com/
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Morgan's Instagram: @lifewithmigraine