Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts and suicide. Please exercise listener discretion and if this episode isn't for you for any reason or if you are listening with children, please skip it, we've got some great new episodes coming out soon. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek assistance. You are worthy and deserving of help and help is out there even though it is often very difficult to find. Feel free to email [email protected] and we can help you to find a patient advocate (or just chat or help you to find a support group or other resources) but this email is not actively monitored and is not for emergency situations.

On this episode, our guest is is a fascinating patient advocate who recently participated in a documentary called Bend or Break which documents his patient experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Mitch Martow started his blog Bend or Break on 2010 to document his struggle with the condition and filmmakers used his blog to write and produce a documentary about Mitch’s experience which was recently released and is available to watch for free on YouTube. This episode was recorded before the episode was released.

Links:

(Trigger Warning: these links contain discussion of suicide and other challenging topics, please exercise viewer/reader discretion):

Bend or Break Documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5toRNvFug3Y

Mitch's TedX Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMCPfVCAIM8

Mitch's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodj1ddsIFPN90-jyExje8w

POV Magazine article: https://povmagazine.com/bend-or-break/

Mitch's Bend or Break Blog: http://breakorbend.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bend_or_break_/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchmartow/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.martow