Ambar Zenteno, Miss Chile, has dysautonomia and is shining her light on the condition through the beauty pageant Miss World - Beauty with a Purpose platform. Dysautonomia is a term used to describe any disorder of the autonomic (automatic) nervous system.

Ambar advocates for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in Chile and plans to raise the profile of invisible disabilities and dysautonomia as she heads to compete in Miss World this year.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• Dysautonomia International 
• Brain Charity UK
• Turquoise Heart - Instagram
• Ambar Zenteno - Instagram

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Justin has ADHD, Developmental Coordination Disorder, and Sensory processing issues. A graduate at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, in Wisconsin, which has a special focus for students with disabilities.

Justin explains how each of his disabilities affects him and what accommodations his college has made so that the barriers to his education and work are removed.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.


Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Anna Ballreich joins us from the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 to explain the history of the games and what visitors can expect to see and experience.

The Special Olympics is from the 17th – 25th June 2023. 7,000 Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities from 190 delegations will compete in 26 sports. The athletes will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers.

For support:

• Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 information and tickets
• Get your Sunflower before you travel  🌻 

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Murray Goulder has epilepsy and joins us with Daniel Jennings from charity, Epilepsy Action, to talk about absence seizures, treatment, public misconceptions and access to venues.

Murray campaigns for greater awareness of epilepsy using his lived experiences. An avid music lover, he regularly attends concerts and is passionate about ensuring access for all.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• Epilepsy Action and the Seizure First Aid video
• Call Epilepsy Action 0808 800 5050 

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Jade Godier joins us to share exciting news about Disability Expo, a free person-focused event for people with lived experience of disability. Showcasing the latest developments on the disability market, relevant services and information, and a full programme of inclusive activities, performances and presentations from engaging relatable people.

More information

• Disability Expo information and free tickets

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Meegan Winters is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program regional partner in the US and co-founder of AbleVu and Able Eyes.

Meegan talks about her life experiences and why she decided to create the AbleVu, - which provides a detailed preview of an organisation's accessibility features. Access virtual walk-through tours, accessibility checklists, and other details to ensure the location is accessible prior to visiting. 

More information

• AbleVu

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Claire-Louise has Congenital Anosmia and is severely visually impaired. Since birth, Claire-Louise hasn't had a sense of smell, but only discovered this when she was 11 years old.

We talk about how Claire-Louise navigates through life without two of her senses and what effect that has on her anxiety.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• Fifth Sense

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Music by "The Emerald Ruby" Emerald Ruby Bandcamp and Emerald Ruby website

Helen Eftekhari is a specialist nurse in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), and Jasmeet Kaur has lived experience of the health condition.

Our conversation discovers what PoTS is and how it affects the body, including the impact it has physically and mentally on patients who can be left with chronic pain, fatigue and anxiety.

Helen and Jasmeet share their joint knowledge to inform ways to care for and manage flare-ups,  and advice on how others can support patients. They also respond to questions about PoTS from the Sunflower community.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• PoTS UK

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

We are joined by colleagues Holly Tyrer, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower USA, and Scott Casson-Rennie Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Ireland. It is Holly’s 4th anniversary of her brain injury and Scott’s first anniversary of his Aneurysm.

The brain is at the heart of our every action and thought, and so we talk about how their ABIs occurred, the effects that they have had on their lives, and their health journeys so far.


If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• The Brain Trust - UK 
• Speakeasy and Aphasia- UK
• Headway - Ireland
• Brain Trauma - USA
• Brain Injury Association of America - USA

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]

Russell joins us from the ME Association to discuss Myalgic Encephalopathy and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), including what it is, and how it affects people.

ME/CFS is a chronic, complex, multisystem disease that can produce a wide-range of disabling symptoms, dramatically impacting a person's ability to initiate or complete everyday tasks and to mobilise normally.

We also talk about the similarities between ME and Long Covid.

Russell shares his health journey with ME and his progress over the past 23 years. The conversation is full of insightful information for support and clinical pathways.

If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.

For support:

• ME Association

Information and resources:

• ME Association: Long Covid and ME/CFS: Are they the same?
• ME Association: Diagnosing ME/CFS
• ME Association: Managing ME/CFS
• ME Association: Summary of the NICE Guideline on ME/CFS
• ME Association: Care and Support Plans
   
• Surviving ME/CFS by Russell Fleming part 1
• Surviving ME/CFS by Russell Fleming part 2
  
  
• The Complete NICE Guideline on ME/CFS
• The NICE Rapid Guideline on Long Covid

Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
 
Want to share your story? email [email protected]