Gin and Chronic welcomes Alaina's friend Nicole Zizzi to the podcast. She discusses her various physical and neurocognitive disorders: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, Hip Dysplasia, recurring kidney stones, hemorragic ovarian cysts, depression, anxiety, ADHD, Austism Spectrum Disorder, OCD, PTSD, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Dyslexia.

Nicole and Alaina talk about women's health, specifically as it pertains to Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is frequently not diagnosed in girls and women. They talk about the social implications of neurocognitive differences and the stigmas and assumptions that surrounded them. They assess how important it is to raise issues of intersectionality in these discussions. Nicole explains Ehlers-Danlos and POTS and her process for managing the illnesses. They end with a discussion about transforming hardships into art, academics, and advocacy.

Wait to hear how architecture fits into the chronic illness conversation!

Contact Nicole on Instagram or via email.

Check out her dance company, Evolve Dynamicz, for more information.