Justin is a husband, entrepreneur, and full-time caregiver to his wife, Shawna–– our very first podcast guest. In this episode, Justin talks about what it’s really like to care for someone you love. From juggling nonstop doctor visits to being the go-to advocate in every medical setting, Justin shares how he stays grounded, what keeps him going, and why self-care is survival. 

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Jasmine is a career coach, wife, and mother who is newly diagnosed with CIDP but no stranger to fighting for her health. After years of navigating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, Jasmine learned how to push back, speak up, and keep going. Join Martine for the season 4 premiere as Jasmine shares what it’s like to face a new diagnosis mid-journey, and why she refuses to stay silent.

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Martine Hackett returns with a new season of Untold Stories: Life with a Severe Autoimmune Condition. The best stories unite us, empower us, and help us push forward against all odds. This season, we hear from people living with myasthenia gravis (MG) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) as they reclaim their identities, fight for care, and find strength in both community and themselves. Join us starting July 23rd.

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For this special season three finale, Martine is joined by Kathy Perez, Head of Global Patient Advocacy at argenx. They reflect on some of the most impactful and moving moments from guests this season. Kathy asks Martine about her favorite learnings and takeaways as host of the show. While life with autoimmune conditions like MG or CIDP includes a wide range of emotions, Kathy and Martine dig into perhaps the strongest of them all: hope. Whether managing frustrations or juggling the physical changes and pain, hope is what continues to shine through as a beacon for perseverance. Together, Kathy and Martine underscore the transformative power of sharing each untold story, building a strong community, and demonstrating how fostering hope becomes armor for adversity.

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In 2007, Tony’s MG journey began with severe double vision, quickly leading to several episodes of pneumonia. He was in and out of the hospital and rehab facilities for many years, only reaching his MG diagnosis in 2014. Through it all, he was supported by his wife and tireless caregiver, Catherine, documenting every step along the way. From the start, Tony remained determined to regain his strength and to raise awareness for MG. His curiosity and drive led him to become a voice for the MG community across Canada. Though his life changed drastically, Tony embraced the grieving process for the life he once knew and found ways to cherish his new reality.

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Craig’s CIDP journey began in college when growing symptoms and fatigue halted his running career and confined him to a cane, then a wheelchair. But from the very beginning, Craig remained positive and focused on finding answers. Having seen some videos about CIDP, he worked with his doctor to determine his official diagnosis. Craig’s curiosity and hunger for problem-solving inspired him to explore holistic approaches to supporting his overall health. Now Craig uses his experiences and creativity to pay it forward and connect with others through his own YouTube channel. Though his life took a considerable pivot, Craig navigates his health journey with a bit of humor and a lot of gratitude.

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Beyond the unpredictable symptoms, Dana’s CIDP journey included misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis and many lessons in insurance coverage. All of which made frustration a frequent feeling. There are many challenges–beyond the fatigue, muscle tingling, and weakness–associated with CIDP. Dana shares her story of living with CIDP, starting with muscle numbness on a camping trip, followed by years of appointments with multiple specialists and navigating insurance hurdles. Learning from her own CIDP journey, today, Dana uses her experiences to inspire, help, and connect with others in the CIDP and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) community.

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Tasha has always faced life’s challenges head-on. Diagnosed with MG at the young age of 6, she quickly learned the importance of self-confidence. At 29, an MG crisis pushed her to manage her health from a new perspective. From her hospital bed, she created a nonprofit aimed not just at sharing her story but also at empowering and inspiring others within the MG community. Despite numerous setbacks, Tasha tapped into a deep well of strength, showcasing the transformative power of believing in oneself. 

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We’re taking a quick break in the season and will be back soon with new episodes! In the meantime, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to check out some of the episodes from seasons one and two of Untold Stories.

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Julie is no stranger to adversity. Diagnosed with CIDP at the age of 28, in the midst of motherhood and a full-time job as a special education teacher, Julie quickly found herself balancing it all while managing the debilitating symptoms of her condition. As she started to find a sense of normalcy, life threw her another curveball: her husband was diagnosed with cancer and would now need Julie to care for him. Despite these challenges, Juile was unwilling to give up. She shifted gears, found strength within herself that she never believed possible, and turned her situation into an inspiring journey filled with creativity, passion, and hope for all.

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