On today’s episode, Sherry tells Melissa about her latest experience with severe fatigue and numbness in her right arm, and how her new doctor’s determination to help eliminate underlying viruses and Lyme “critters” has reinvigorated her positive outlook. Sherry also talks about having 28 vials of blood drawn recently and not being able to write or type, yet still having love and empathy for the medical workers who take care of her. Sherry offers her perspective on  accepting that this is her body’s journey, and that she is here to support it as a spirit guide. You’ll also hear Melissa and Sherry’s insightful and entertaining conversation about the “Struggle Bus,” and how they use this idea to add lightness, humor, and honesty when people ask how they’re doing. 

Our hosts also discuss Melissa’s hilarious “cheese dreams” as a result of her anti-inflammatory diet, as well as her frustrating encounter with ableist barriers when applying for a Deaf Cultural Studies program. They chat about living in a world that’s centered around able-bodied individuals, and the importance of being an advocate for yourself in the moment, as a person with sensory loss. Bringing the conversation back to the Struggle Bus, Sherry jokes that her autocorrect often changes this term to “Snuggle Bus,” which has inadvertently become a fabulous metaphor for self-love and self-compassion, as they invite listeners to reflect on the state of their Struggle Bus, and what they need from the Snuggle Bus instead.  

This podcast is not psychotherapy and does not contain medical advice, but is simply a recording of two friends talking.

Episode Highlights:

• Sherry’s fatigue and numbness in her right arm have been particularly uncomfortable lately - she is unable to write or type
• She had to have 28 vials of blood drawn, which she’s had to do a few times, and the phlebotomist can make or break the experience
• She used to get frustrated if the medical workers were being mean or difficult, but it doesn’t bother her anymore - she loves them for the important work they’re doing
• Her new doctor is a “unicorn” and is really taking the time to thoroughly investigate what’s going on
• Sherry’s doctor is looking to address underlying viruses and eliminate Lyme “critters”
• Melissa feels sad that Sherry has already been through so much, and is having one more difficult experience thrown at her
• Sherry has accepted that this is her body’s journey, and she is her body’s spirit guide - she is here to support it
• This is a very helpful outlook, especially when your body has multiple issues going on within
• The idea of the “Struggle Bus” adds lightness and humor when people ask how you’re doing, and puts words to a difficult feeling that other people may not be able to relate to
• Everyone is on their own Struggle Bus
• Melissa is able to control flare-ups with her current diet, but she really misses cheese
• She recently applied for a Deaf Cultural Studies Program at a community college, but encountered major ableist barriers and was not accepted
• The world is not designed for people with disabilities, which can be incredibly discouraging and frustrating
• Sherry’s experience being handed paperwork to fill out when she has vision loss, even at specialty eye doctors’ offices
• It’s important to be an advocate for yourself in the moment, but oftentimes you’re taken off-guard and may not say anything right away
• Sherry is Queen of the Struggle Bus, but autocorrect often changes it to “Snuggle Bus,” which is also very appealing
• You actually need to have self-compassion and hop off the Struggle Bus sometimes, and go right on the Snuggle Bus instead
• The Snuggle Bus drives parallel to the Struggle Bus 
• Today’s point of reflection: What is going on with your...