In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by author, adaptive fashion model, and disability advocate Sarah Todd Hammer. Sarah Todd shares her experiences with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) from diagnosis to today, highlighting the diagnosis and treatment processes and how she has continued to follow her dreams throughout the years. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Kiran Thakur, a neurologist and expert in infections that affect the brain and nervous system. Dr. Thakur is an associate professor of Neurology at Columbia University and has worked around the world studying how diseases like viruses can lead to serious neurologic conditions. Dr. Thakur explains what AFM is, the effects it can have, and what can be learned about how to care for patients with rare and life-changing neurologic conditions.

Additional Resources

Sarah Todd Hammer

Rising Measles Cases Raise Concerns About Serious Brain Complications

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

How Disability Advocate Wesley Hamilton Became Empowered by Adversity

Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice

How Paula Carozzo is Redefining Disability and Advocating for Her Community

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Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

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Social Media: Sarah Todd Hammer @sarahtoddhammer; Dr. Kiran Thakur @columbiamed

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD