Have you heard of Kleine Levin Syndrome (KLS) or "Sleeping Beauty Syndrome"? In this captivating episode of The Medical Maze podcast, we sit down with Bethany, who bravely shares her journey living with this extremely rare condition that causes her to sleep for weeks at a time.

As April comes to a close, we at The Medical Maze podcast honor Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month with a raw and unflinching look at the often misunderstood world of severe autism. Join us as we sit down with Phil, the father of 11-year-old Dominic, who bravely shares his family's heart-wrenching journey. From communication barriers to public meltdowns to the desperate search for proper care and education, Phil gives us a powerful glimpse into the challenges faced by those on the lowest end of the autism spectrum.

In this riveting episode, we explore the critical distinction between autism awareness and true acceptance. Phil's words serve as a poignant reminder to reserve judgment, lead with empathy, and fight for a world that embraces and supports those who are different.

Don't miss this profound conversation that will open your eyes, touch your heart, and ignite your sense of compassion. Together, let's navigate the complex realities of autism and forge a path toward genuine understanding.

Like and subscribe for more illuminating stories from the frontlines of undiagnosed and rare diseases. Leave a comment sharing your thoughts on how we can promote autism acceptance beyond April!

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#AutismAwarenessMonth #AutismAcceptanceMonth #SevereAutism #AutismParenting #AutismAdvocacy #MedicalMaze #RareDisease #UndiagnosedDisease

Can you imagine living every day with shards of glass slicing through your veins?

That’s the agonizing reality for my courageous guest Cameron, who shares her deeply personal story of fighting sickle cell anemia since birth.

Even the slightest weather change or emotional stress can trigger grueling, week-long hospitalizations filled with piercing pains, blood transfusions, and breathing treatments just to survive another day. Despite the cruelty of this unpredictable illness, Cameron resiliently builds a life for herself and her family.

Cameron pulls back the curtain on the daily sacrifices required to manage sickle cell, from strict dietary changes to navigating relationships and work around her hospitalizations. You’ll be moved by her strength, uplifted by her hope, and gain new empathy for the silent struggles of those living with invisible disabilities.

Reach out and show your support with words of kindness in the comments below. And help spread understanding of this lesser-known disease by sharing this eye-opening testimony with your own community.

Key hashtags: #InvisibleIllness #SickleCellDisease #SickleCellStories #ChronicIllness

We speak with Dan Ellmer, who was diagnosed with the rare inherited metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (#PKU) as a child. He shares his remarkable story of living with this condition that causes intellectual disability if undiagnosed.

Watch Jim Mathews share his personal perspective on inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare muscle-wasting disease. He explains common misdiagnoses like ALS, details on IBM's gradual effects, information on clinical trials and latest research, how exercise temporarily improves strength, and more.

Miguel shares his struggle with an extremely rare condition that causes him to emit chemicals from his skin that trigger severe allergic reactions in others. He describes living with this little-known syndrome called PATM (People Allergic to Me) that makes social situations unbearable.

Miguel reveals how he found out he had PATM in his teens and the debilitating physical and emotional toll it's taken. With no known cure, Miguel hopes to spread awareness and urges more research be done to help people suffering from this socially isolating condition.

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