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What if the voice in your head telling you that you aren’t enough is actually your biggest competitor? 

In this powerhouse episode, Giselle is joined by World Champion Powerlifter, Occupational Therapist, and mental health clinician, Keir Harding.

Keir is a legend in the Poland Syndrome community, not just for his professional clinical expertise, but for his extraordinary physical achievements. He dives deep into the "inner critic," explaining how he learned to silence the voice that told him his body was "disgusting" or "incomplete" and replaced it with the discipline required to reach the very top of the world stage. From the world-championship platform to the vulnerability of the therapy room, Keir shares how he navigated shame and embarrassment to recognise his true value.

In this episode, we explore:

• From Shame to World Champion: How Keir went from wanting to "keep away from people" to competing in front of the world.
• The Inner Critic vs. Reality: Why your brain lies to you on "bad days" and how to recognise that your thoughts are not facts.
• Smashing Self-Imposed Barriers: Practical advice on how to stop being your own biggest obstacle in life, sport, and career.
• The Power of Therapy: Dealing with the deep-seated embarrassment that can accompany a rare physical difference.
• Mindfulness & Thinking Patterns: Learning to observe the mental "weather" of your best days versus your hardest days.

Keir’s message is a masterclass in resilience: your inner critic doesn't get a vote in what you are capable of achieving.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

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What happens when you discover the name for your physical difference at age 30? In this moving episode, Giselle sits down with Hale, an Istanbul native currently navigating a new life in Barcelona.

Hale only received her Poland Syndrome diagnosis six months ago, sparking a profound journey of self-reflection and healing. She opens up about the years spent "being alone" with her condition and the life-changing impact of finally finding a community that understands.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Mirror Moment: Learning to look at your reflection and truthfully saying, "I am complete."
• Late Diagnosis: The unique emotional shift of discovering PS as an adult.
• Body Positivity vs. Insecurity: Strategies for tackling bullies and overcoming deep-seated insecurities.
• Global Connection: Hale’s journey from Turkey to Spain and how the PS community bridges geographic borders.

Hale’s story is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to find your tribe or your self-love.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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This Poland Syndrome Awareness Day 2026, we are proving that the PS community has no borders. In this landmark episode, our host Giselle (entrepreneur, athlete, PIP-UK Ambassador, and PS advocate calling in from South Africa) connects with the Baker Family in New Jersey, USA.

What follows is a beautiful conversation about the universal experiences of raising a child with Poland Syndrome. From the initial diagnosis in America to the confidence found on the sports field, and the entrepreneurial spirit driving advocacy in Africa, this episode is for every family, everywhere, who has ever felt alone in their journey.

In this global sit-down, we explore:

• The Baker’s Story: How early diagnosis and sports became the foundation for Connor’s incredible confidence in NJ.
• Giselle’s Perspective: Navigating life, sport and business as a woman with PS in South Africa.
• The Global Diagnostic Vacuum: Why families in every corner of the world face the same hurdles, and how we overcome them together.
• Sports as a Universal Language: Why physical activity is the ultimate tool for limb-different resilience.

🌍 ONE WORLD. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE MISSION. 🌍

From where we started in the UK to our host in South Africa and our guests in the USA, PIP-UK is the global clinical and emotional bridge for Poland Syndrome. We provide 1:1 specialist advocacy and peer-led connection sessions to families in every time zone.

We don’t receive international government funding or UK government funding. We rely on YOU.

If PIP-UK has been a community heartbeat for you or your family, please use this Awareness Day to ensure we can stay there for the next family, wherever they are in the world.

👉 DONATE GLOBALLY: http://bit.ly/4df3fyr

👉 THE UK CLINIC FUND: https://bit.ly/4tFTXCv

👉 BE COUNTED: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

Your donation has global impact

• £10 / $12: Powers our Monthly Community Zoom Connections, ensuring no one, regardless of their country, has to navigate Poland Syndrome alone.
• £50 / $60: Funds an In-Depth Advocacy Session. This provides one-to-one expert support for families facing critical moments: a new diagnosis, late-stage discovery, or complex surgery decisions.
• £100 / $125: Sponsors a Family at our Specialist Clinic. Your donation supports a family’s journey through the UK’s only multidisciplinary PS clinic.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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Karen and Gift's powerful stories of living with Poland Syndrome will leave you moved and inspired. From opposite corners of the world - Devon, England and Uganda - these two remarkable women share their journeys through isolation, self-doubt, and ultimately toward acceptance and community.

The conversation begins with raw honesty about discovery. Karen has known about her Poland Syndrome since birth, affecting both her hand and chest, but spent years hiding her difference. Gift's realisation came with puberty, thrusting her into years of psychological struggle as she navigated school environments where her body was suddenly exposed and questioned. Both women speak candidly about the emotional toll of feeling different in a world obsessed with sameness.

Their lives changed dramatically when they participated in an inclusive fashion show organized by Birmingham Children's Hospital and PIP UK. For the first time, they met others who understood their experience without explanation. Karen, at 24, finally met someone else with Poland Syndrome - "It lifted something from me," she shares with emotion. Gift, on her first international journey, found a space where she could "let my heart out about my feelings and feel understood."

The discussion expands beyond personal stories to address broader issues - the fashion industry's claims of inclusivity versus reality, the challenges of finding clothing that fits uniquely different bodies, and the psychological impact of visible differences that medical professionals often overlook. Their wisdom for younger people with Poland Syndrome resonates powerfully: "Different is okay and beautiful," Gift emphasizes, while Karen adds, "It's not as bad as we think it is."

What emerges most clearly is the transformative power of community. Both women express deep gratitude for finding connection through PIP UK, emphasizing how shared understanding has helped them navigate difficult days. Listen as they remind us all that visible differences may shape our experiences, but need not define our lives. Join us in celebrating these voices that remind us: you are seen, you are heard, you are not alone.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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In this episode, we step into the spotlight with Caron Mills, a beacon of courage and confidence in her journey with Poland Syndrome. Join us as Caron shares her story of self-discovery, community, and the runway of resilience she's walked, just weeks before strutting her stuff in a groundbreaking fashion show dedicated to celebrating diversity.

**Episode Highlights:**

1. **Caron's Journey with Poland Syndrome:**
   - Caron unfolds her tale of triumph over adversity, recounting her path through surgeries and self-acceptance with grace and determination.

2. **Embracing Self-Love:**
   - Dive into Caron's reflections on embracing her uniqueness, finding beauty in her differences, and cultivating unshakeable confidence.

3. **Shining as a Role Model:**
   - Discover how Caron has become a guiding light for others, illuminating the path to self-empowerment and acceptance.

4. **Volunteering for Change:**
   - Explore Caron's journey as a volunteer, igniting change and hope within the Poland Syndrome community, one act of kindness at a time.

5. **Fashioning Awareness:**
   - Join Caron on the runway of awareness as she shares her excitement and preparations for a groundbreaking fashion show dedicated to Poland Syndrome inclusivity.

6. **Kindness as Key:**
   - Uncover the transformative power of kindness and community in Caron's journey, igniting sparks of compassion and connection.


Caron's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of self-love and community support. Her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all who dare to walk their own runway of resilience.

**Outro:**
Thank you for tuning in to What about PS? A Poland Syndrome Podcast. If you found this episode as inspiring as we did, don't forget to subscribe and share it with your friends. Stay tuned for more captivating stories. After all, every journey is a runway waiting to be walked with courage and grace.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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In this episode, we delve into Paul Preston's extraordinary journey, from a world of unfamiliarity to becoming a driving force in the Poland Syndrome community. Pauls world was forever changed when his son was born with Poland Syndrome. Join us as we explore his path of discovery, advocacy, and unity, ignited by the arrival of his son William in 2022.

**Episode Highlights:**

1. **A Father's Awakening:**
   - Witness Paul's awakening to Poland Syndrome when his son enters the world, propelling him into a realm of newfound understanding and purpose.

2. **Guided by Support:**
   - Discover how Paul and his wife Rachel found solace and guidance through PIP-UK, a beacon of support for families navigating the complexities of Poland Syndrome.

3. **Embracing the Community:**
   - Follow Paul and Rachel's journey of embracing the Poland Syndrome community, transforming adversity into a mission of equality, togetherness, and acceptance.

4. **Advocacy in Action:**
   - Explore Paul's tireless efforts in raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and fostering inclusivity within the Poland Syndrome community and beyond.

5. **Uniting Hearts and Minds:**
   - Witness the power of unity as Paul and Rachel's advocacy work brings the Poland Syndrome community together, creating a tapestry of support and solidarity.

6. **PS Fest: Join Us!**
   - Paul shares exciting details about PS Fest, happening on April 27-28th in Birmingham. From a fashion show to axe throwing, bouncy castles, talent shows, and evening entertainment featuring DJs and comedians, there's something for everyone.
   - On the second day Dive into the festivities with morning activities at an urban farm and a family cinema showing, uniting families and individuals in celebration and camaraderie.

Sign up to attend here.

Paul's journey is a testament to the transformative power of love, community, and unwavering dedication. His story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, inviting all to join in the celebration of unity at PS Fest.

Thank you for joining us on What about PS?  [Podcast Name]. If Paul's journey resonated with you, be sure to subscribe and share this episode. We invite you to join us at PS Fest on April 27-28th in Birmingham, where we'll celebrate diversity, resilience, and the spirit of togetherness. Stay tuned for more empowering stories and opportunities to make a difference.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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Welcome to What about PS? Podcast the show where we delve into remarkable stories and journeys that inspire us all. I'm your host, Giselle, and today we have a very special episode in honor of Rare Disease Day.

Join us as we shine a light on Jen's extraordinary journey to diagnosis in Scotland for her son and her unwavering commitment to educating health care professionals in Scotland about Poland Syndrome. Jen's story is not just about resilience; it's about turning challenges into opportunities for advocacy and education about Poland Syndrome in Scotland.

In this episode, we'll hear from Jen herself as she shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs. We'll also explore the importance of raising awareness about rare diseases and the impact it has on individuals and communities.

So, whether you're familiar with our podcast or just tuning in for the first time, get ready for a deeply moving and insightful conversation that will leave you feeling inspired.

Sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate Rare Disease Day with Jen's incredible story. You won't want to miss this empowering episode! #RareDiseaseDay #PodcastEpisode

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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Welcome to What about PS? Poland Syndrome Podcast, the show where we share inclusive and varied experiences of people living with Poland Syndrome. I'm your host, Giselle Barbosa and today we're diving into getting to know Gunnar Anderson. Whether you're a longtime listener or a newbie, we're so glad you're here.

On today's episode, we're joined by Gunnar Anderson, who in his own words "Growing up, I was a skinny kid and I was more interested in acting than sports" and in 2014 Gunnar became a certified personal trainer and launched his online training programme through Instagram. Together, we'll explore overcoming insecurities, growing up with Poland Syndrome, meeting others with Poland Syndrome, surgery considerations, Hollywood and finding answers about Poland Syndrome. You will not want to miss this episode!

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

If you want to follow Gunnar, you can connect on Instagram.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

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Welcome to What about PS? A Poland Syndrome Podcast, the show where we share inclusive and varied experiences of people living with Poland Syndrome.

I'm your host, Giselle Barbosa, and today we're diving into the Parents perspective. Whether you're a longtime listener or a newbie, we're so glad you're here.

On today's episode, we're joined by Michelle Ridley, mum to Everleigh and Ailsa who will be talking us through their families experience with diagnosis of Poland Syndrome, reaching out for support and talking to the kids, friends and family about Poland Syndrome. And as always, we'll wrap up with some ways that you can get support and connect with other parents in the PIP-UK Poland Syndrome Community.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to What about PS? A Poland Syndrome Podcast, the show where we share inclusive and varied experiences of people living with Poland Syndrome. 

I'm your host, Giselle Barbosa, and today we're diving into getting to know Brian Ferguson and his journey with Poland Syndrome, music and life. Whether you're a longtime listener or a newbie, we're so glad you're here.

On today's episode, we're joined by our volunteer Brian Ferguson. , who talks his earliest memories of surgery in childhood, learning to play the guitar and the joy of discovering ways to use both hands at the same time. Together, we'll explore how autonomy is important to Brian, about disability, making adaptation's and self-acceptance. And as always, we'll wrap up with some of our personal experiences.

Brian is 40 and a life long New Yorker from long Island. He's been eager to share his knowledge and experience living with rare disabilities, including Poland's Syndrome. Despite his limb differences, he learned to play guitar in part to play Christmas carols for the elderly in nursing homes for an annual event. Brian is a supporter of limb difference representation in media and had himself drawn into a Darkhorse comic book to help with that goal. You may contact him at brianspoon83 on Instagram, where he plans to post clips of the exercises he is able to do with his limb difference.

🌍 Support Our Global Mission PIP-UK is a charity without borders, providing 1:1 advocacy and specialist clinics for the Poland Syndrome community worldwide. Help us keep these lifelines free: Donate Here: https://bit.ly/4df3fyr

📋 Be Counted Join the Global Poland Syndrome Community Register to help us build a future of better care: https://bit.ly/4cCpC1t

✨ Connect & Support If this episode helped you, please Rate & Review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps other families find us!

Find us online: 🌐 Website: https://pip-uk.org/ 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @polandsyndromepipuk 👥 Facebook: pip.uk.org 💼 LinkedIn: PIP-UK

🎙️ Want to share your story? Email us at [email protected]