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Meet the Stimpunks, Supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled Individuals Directly

The Stimpunks Foundation exists for the direct support and mutual aid of neurodivergent and disabled people. Oftentimes that can look as simple as just giving people cash, as studies have shown that no strings attached financial aid is one of the most effective ways to prop up individuals in need. Read more

FND or MS? Elly’s Battle for a Diagnosis After Child Loss

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is usually diagnosed when an individual has neurological symptoms but no clinical evidence of disease, and a history of personal trauma. The theory is that the brain converts stress or trauma into physical symptoms, and the treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aimed at rewiring the Read more

Judy Foreman on How Chronic Pain Impacted Her Journalism Career

Judy Foreman is a lifelong journalist who spent most of her career at the Boston Globe as a science and medical writer. She had a medical column that was syndicated in national and international outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, Baltimore Sun and others. She is the Read more

Jessy’s Disabling Mystery Illness

Jessy has been living with a disabling mystery illness that has turned his life upside down. He experiences extreme fatigue, brain fog, tremors and intense pain. His body has become so unreliable that he requires a wheelchair to navigate the world. And yet, his doctors have no idea what is Read more

Opening Up About Mental Health: Rachel Guyer-Mafune on Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Bipolar Disorder

This week on the Major Pain podcast, Seattle based performer Rachel Guyer-Mafune discusses her history with mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD and bipolar disorder. Although she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in freshman year of college, she is only now beginning to open up about this diagnosis publicly. Read more

Living with Adhesive Arachnoiditis

Hollie has been living with spinal adhesive arachnoiditis for about 16 years. Many people have never heard of this disease, including many of Hollie’s doctors. The arachnoid is a membrane that surrounds and protects the nerves in the spinal cord. Arachnoiditis refers to inflammation of this membrane, which can progress Read more

Navigating the Healthcare System Can Feel Impossible, Patients Rising is Here to Help

Are you struggling to find your way through the American healthcare system? Managing a chronic illness or disability is hard enough, but convoluted healthcare plans, access issues and affordability can put brick walls in the way of necessary care. Many patients are unaware that organizations like Patients Rising exist with Read more

Treating Restless Leg Syndrome: Elaine’s Odyssey to Control RLS

Elaine’s odyssey to understand and treat restless leg syndrome (RLS) has spanned decades. Symptoms began in her 30s, pulling and jerking sensations mostly in her legs that made it difficult to relax. She had no idea how to describe what was happening, deciding it was impossible to tell a doctor Read more

From Antichrist to Advocate: Daniel’s Journey with Schizophrenia

When Daniel was 17 years old he began to believe that he was a potential vessel for the Antichrist. Believing he was one of millions of potential vessels, he thought it was his responsibility to chose whether or not he should accept this role and allow his body to be Read more

After Surgery to Remove a Baseball Sized Brain Tumor, Brad Developed Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration and Ataxia

In 2017 Brad started experiencing multiple falls that became concerning. He went to get checked out and discovered there was a baseball sized tumor growing on his brainstem. This tumor was a meningioma that had been growing for decades, possibly upwards of 30 years. As Brad was rushed to surgery, Read more