Gin and Chronic, The Podcast

Claire and Alaina start off with sharing some "dumpster fires" of the week, because we all need a safe venting space! They talk about finding internal motivation and considering what "therapy" and "healing" might look like for you.

Then they kick off Women's Health Month with an update on abortion bills and the history of abortion in the United States. Check out the resources below for more information.

• Scarlet Letters: Getting the History of Abortion and Contraception Right (American Progress)
• The Surprising History of Abortion in the United States (CNN)
• Abortion History in the U.S. (FindLaw)
• The History of Abortion Law in the United States (Our Bodies Our Selves)
• Historical Abortion Law Timeline: 1850 to Today (Planned Parenthood)
• Abortion in America: A Visual Timeline (19th News)

Alaina and Claire decided to keep this episode light-hearted and take a break from all the stress in the world. They talk about American Girl Dolls, Beanie Babies, and what they did as kids they wish they could still do now. They also encourage you to have hobbies that are just fun -- not just things you're good at. They end with an in-depth analysis of their horoscopes -- because why not?!

• American Girl Dolls
• CoStar Astrology
• HBO: Atlas of the Heart
• G&C Patreon
• G&C Merch!

Claire talks about her new job and the pressure to not be sick. They discuss the necessity of self-defense, especially as womxn (though it's completely unfair). (Check out THIS LINK if you're in Boston and interested in classes.) Alaina shares about her recent advocacy work with the Colorado Psychological Association. They discuss the RaDonda Vaught Case (sources below), in which a nurse accidentally administered the wrong drug to a patient and faces years in prison. They talk about what systems have failed to enable this tragic event and the implications of the verdict. Keep advocating for yourselves out there and practice self-compassion. Claire recommends journaling each day to process and express gratitude.

• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/03/25/1088902487/former-nurse-found-guilty-in-accidental-injection-death-of-75-year-old-patient
• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/radonda-vaught-nurse-guilty-death-charlene-murphey-wrong-drug/.
• https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/03/28/nurs-m28.html

Alaina shares about her recent travel experience and how NOT strange it felt. She talks about how weird it is that people in the US always ask "What do you do?"

Alaina then talks about some shocking news she received this week: one of her cloest friends was diagnosed with cancer. This news is bringing up a lot of emotions for Alaina, as well as thoughts about giving/receving help and future planning. Alaina discusses why asking for help is so challenging and how privilege relates, and how uncomfortable she feels about future planning!

Meet Julia, a junior at Miami University, a former D1 Athlete, and Claire's cousin - who also happens to have Graves Disease. Julia talks about the symptoms of Graves and her medication and treatment plan. She shares about the experience of being diagnosed while in college and what that meant for her social life and athletic training. She talks about the effect it had on her relationships and her sense of identity. Alaina wonders about the medication that was in question during Kamila Valieva's performance in the Winter Olympics and they talk about medication effects on performance and Julia's eventual decision to leave her team. Julia gives advice for others going through a diagnosis in college: stay true to your identity and keep having fun. We need to enjoy the lives we have!

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Alaina and Claire have a lot to say about insurance policies and the fatigue that comes with advocating for yourself and others. They also want to acknowledge the tragic events currently unfolding in Ukraine. They remind everyone to keep intersectionality in mind when thinking about this crisis. See below for ways you can help and don't forget to take care of yourself! Remember: some of the ways you're feeling are not your fault. It's the result of generations of systemic oppression and broken policies.

• https://jdrf.org.uk/news/helping-the-diabetes-community-in-ukraine/
• https://www.t1international.com/Ukraine/
• https://beyondtype1.org/help-ukraine-diabetes-community/
• https://www.patreon.com/ginandchronicpod?fan_landing=true

Final Part of the Valentine's Series: Alaina and Claire discuss representation of chronic illness in film. Alaina looks at A Walk to Remember, Claire talks about Steel Magnolias and the strange number of horror movies about diabetes. They talk about the damaging way chronic illness is portrayed, when it's portrayed at all. Alaina talks about the trope of the "sick woman." Claire reminds people to share their stories. Both agree for people with chronic illness or without that representation is important. They end with comments from all of you with your movie recommendations (or anti-recommendations).

• Pixar, Turning Red: https://www.popsugar.com/family/pixar-turning-red-features-character-with-diabetes-48429698
• Encanto: https://movies.disney.com/encanto
• Sick Girl Trope: https://the-take.com/watch/the-sick-girl-trope-explained ;
• Me Before You Controversy: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/06/me-before-you-disabled-community-controversy

TRIGGER WARNING: Gender-based violence, sexual violence, conflict

Sources:

• International Committee of the Red Cross. (2019). Special appeal 2019: The ICRC's response to sexual violence. Resource Mobilization Division. ICRC.
• Patel, V., Minas, H., Cohen, A., & Prince, M. J. (Ed.) (2014). Global mental health: Principles and practice. Oxford.
• Spencer, R. A., J. Usta, A. Essaid, S. Shukri, Y. El-Gharaibeh, H. Abu-Taleb, N. Awwad, H. Nsour, Alianza por la Solidaridad, United Nations Population Fund-Lebanon and C. J. Clark (2015). Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls Displaced by the Syrian Conflict in South Lebanon and North Jordan: Scope of Violence and Health Correlates, Alianza por la Solidaridad.
• Syrians for Truth and Justice (2020). Early marriage hits high rate in some areas of Syria. STJ-Sy
• Gausman, J., Othman, A., Dababneh, A. Dabobe, M., Hamad, I., Daas, I., & Langer, A. (2020). A social-ecological examination into the research, policy and health service delivery environment related to early marriage and sexual and gender-based violence among youth in Jordan. BMC Internation Health and Human Rights 20(16)
• Waters, V. J. (February 15, 2022). Gender, Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing: specific needs and responsive services [PowerPoint slides]
• International Rescue Committee. (2021). The women peace and security index: A new lens on forced displacement. Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Part Two of the Valentine's Series: Alaina and Danielle interview Sam, Alaina's fiance, to talk about being a partner to someone with chronic illness. They share how they met and talk about the importance of vulnerability and communication. Alaina talks about how her illness actually made her more open to love and Sam discusses how grateful he has felt to be included in the conversations about chronic illness. Sam shares about his previous research on Dystonia, a serious, chronic movement disorder, specifically looking at barriers to care and trends in the illness. Danielle talks about how she has witnessed their relationship. They end with lots of reminscing and laughter!