Are you exhausted and overwhelmed after more than a year of the pandemic? The Sisterhood is there with you. In this episode, we speak to Mia and Phil of Birch Leaf Healing to share their story of beginning their work in reiki practice and their move to Sedona, Arizona. We talk about the power of reiki and how it can be used for autoimmune health and healing.

We also share a special treat with the Sisterhood of Limitless Living community - a 50% discount off reiki session with Birch Leaf Healing by using the

This is a special bilingual episode in English and Spanish with Marilena Grittani, clinical pharmacist, who shares the importance of clear information and messaging to support the Latinx/Hispanic community with questions and concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. Marilena shares information about the history of the vaccine, how it works, and why it is important to get the vaccine to protect ourselves and our communities who have been disproportionately affected by the damages to population health.

 

Learn mo

Have you ever felt trapped into having to make decisions that you didn't want to consider? In this episode, Dr. April shares tips on how to think proactively in your health and wellness activities, to make decisions that work in your favor. No longer do we need to be part of the image of patients as passive participants in life and health decisions. Being your own best advocate  begins from a decision from within.

Learn more about the sisterhood of limitless living: www.sisterhoodoflimitlessliving.com

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Episode 84: Empowering Yourself to Advocate for Your Health

What happens when women are dismissed by the healthcare system, and how does this impact Black women and health disparities?

As we celebrate Black History Month,  we speak to S. Mayumi "Umi" Grigsby, Esq.  about Black Healthcare and self-advocacy. Umi is a policy attorney based in Chicago. We hear about her new book EmpowHERed Health: Reforming a Dismissive Health Care System, and how negative interactions with healthcare providers and health hea

Have you been wondering about how assistive equipment works for the autoimmune community? In this episode, Dr. April shares her recent experience seeking guidance on assistive gear for disabilities.

 

We discuss:

-The insurance experience and frustrations with getting through to discuss if Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is covered

-The challenges of buying online, dealing with assembly costs and adjustment/fitting concerns for the equipment

-Finding a local small business that specializes in home care/dis

Have you wondered about the gender differences that affect people with autoimmune conditions?  In this episode we speak to Emmitt Henderson III, who lives with lupus and other conditions.  Emmitt shares the experience of being diagnosed and seeking community as a male, and a male of color, in the autoimmune community space. He created Male Lupus Warriors to support others with lupus, and shares the importance of mental health, perspective, and knowing one's goals to move forward in health and life. 

Lear

Has your weight changed significantly since the autoimmune diagnosis? In this episode, Dr. April shares her personal journey with weight gain and steroids after diagnosis. The discussion provides an introduction to some of the recommended diets out there for people with autoimmune diseases, as well as some information on the exercise challenges during the pandemic. Dr. April also discusses why the AIP diet risks its cultural competence for communities of color whose sacred foods include squash, beans, and c

Have you wondered what autoimmune clinicians think about the current state of autoimmune diseases and patient diversity?

In Episode 80 we speak to Micaela Bayard MD, a rheumatologist in New York who is dedicated to diversity and inclusion in autoimmune patient health, dedicated to continuously supporting chronic illness patients over the years. We discuss the current medication trends for diseases like lupus, the challenges of medication prescription availability during the pandemic, and about the importanc

Have you recently gone in for your autoimmune medications? Are you wondering what it is like to get a medication infusion?

In this episode, Dr. April shares her recent experience of going to an infusion center for a several hours-long medication infusion for her autoimmune condition, during a pandemic.We discuss:

-What to bring to the infusion appointment-How often infusions can take-What the process of infusion is, and why it can take so long-How to request a space that is less crowded with patients during

What is the journey of getting through the toughest times of chronic illness like for you, during a pandemic? 

 

In this episode we speak to filmmaker Jessica Funches about her personal autoimmune experience, and about her upcoming documentary series, You Don't Look Sick. She tells the story of how the documentary was done during the pandemic and how individuals have navigated their health with autoimmune invisible illnesses during this season. Jessica also shares her experience of living with rheumatoid