Neurodivergent Voices

In this episode, we share interviews that were recorded LIVE at the ADA Celebration at the Disability Network of Washtenaw, Monroe, and Livingston County on July 26, 2024.

Want to follow along with subtitles? Go to our YouTube Page: (230) Neurodivergent Voices - YouTube

Check out Krista's Art Here:

In this LONG OVERDUE episode, we interview community members at the "2023 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration" hosted by The Disability Network of Washtenaw, Monroe, and Livingston Counties to celebrate 33 years since the passage of the ADA.

Community members courageously signed up to be recorded live amidst a bustling celebration and intense summer storm. We hope you enjoy the interviewees' raw takes on neurodiversity!

We'll be joining again live later this month!

*All interviewees signed consent forms and agreed to be included in the publishing of this episode.

In this episode, our co-host Stephanie, who is multiply neurodivergent (ADHDer, dyslexic, cPTSDer, and anxious) reflects on her third trimester, early birth, and post-partum journey, highlighting experiences unique to neurodivergent women (AFABs). This episode does contain discussion of medical trauma, so listener discretion is advised.

Prefer to watch (and read along)? Check out the video versions of this episode.

Please enjoy this bonus episode in celebration of OT month! We share 5 applicable tips for guiding more neuro-affirming practice.

In this episode, our co-host, Rachel, talks about obsessive compulsive disorder, which is an acquired neurodivergence.

Rachel explores definitions and examples and then shares her lived experience with OCD and with OCD treatment.

Source:
International OCD Foundation | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (iocdf.org)

For the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, Diverge is hosting "Tie Dye Marie Fundraiser" to commemorate their dear neurodivergent friend who lost their life to suicide. All fundraiser proceeds will support low-income neurodivergent adults. Check out details below:
All Products | Diverge Community

In this episode, our co-host, Rachel, talks about obsessive compulsive disorder, which is an acquired neurodivergence. Open this episode on Spotify to watch along with video and transcriptions!

Rachel explores definitions and examples and then shares her lived experience with OCD and with OCD treatment.

Source:International OCD Foundation | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (iocdf.org)

For the month of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, Diverge is hosting "Tie Dye Marie Fundraiser" to commemorate their dear neurodivergent friend who lost their life to suicide. All fundraiser proceeds will support low-income neurodivergent adults. Check out details below:

In this episode, we interview Liz Grace who is the author of the memoir, "Resilient: Surviving My Mental Illness."

"RESILIENT is a deeply personal memoir about life with mental illness, hearing loss and resiliency. Liz’s journey provides encouragement for patients, families, friends and healthcare workers by showing that recovery is possible.

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At seventeen, Liz’s world collapses into a place of depression, psychosis and a revolving hospital door. It takes a strong family to help her survive to university life, where she excels despite increasing deafness. But before she can start her career, bipolar disorder - later diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder - returns to threaten all that she has worked towards.

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It is up to her family, friends, healthcare workers and herself to push through and get her back on her feet.

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Liz shares her story, including her hospitalizations, highlighting the harmful and helpful things she and others have done to get her to where she is now."

This discussion dives into topics of acquired neurodivergence, mental illness, hearing loss, service dogs, and neurodivergent experiences of healthcare.

Content Warning: This episode contains brief content related to self-harm starting at 43:50. If you or someone you know are in mental health crisis, there is help available. Text or call 988 for emergent support.

Resources:

In this episode, Rachel interviews Noah! Noah's a musician who is Autistic and ADHD. Noah and Rachel explore topics of embracing Autistic identity, unmasking, music, and the challenges of executive dysfunction.

Noah is the drummer in an Ann Arbor band, "Fake British Accents." Follow along as this band grows.

@fake.british.accents on Instagram

In this episode, Stephanie reflects on her first trimester of pregnancy in the context of her neurodivergence. Come for the neurodivergent conversation, stay for the relaxing dog pets and grooming. Highly recommend you check out the YouTube video that accompanies this episode so you can see Stephanie's dog, Bronson <3

https://youtu.be/r7oc6DBhMgs?si=Lf8WMcPTAef1--Lz

In this episode we interview Rebecca,

"I'm a multiply neurodivergent Occupational Therapist/Whakaora Ngangahau with lived experience of chronic illnesses, who lives in Aotearoa/New Zealand. A year ago I started a little private practice that is recovery oriented, neurodivergence-affirming and trauma-informed where I work with adults to support their wellbeing, self-management and engagement in meaningful activity. I'm passionate about advocating for the occupational therapy profession, have a love of lifelong learning and want to make a difference in the world by showing up authentically and creating ripples of change."