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In this episode, Anna Snapp joins me to share how she transformed years of medical trauma, mental health struggles, and invisible illness into powerful creative expression. From hospital stays and misdiagnoses to performing her story on stage for med students and Fringe Festival audiences alike, Anna’s journey is a reminder of the strength it takes to reclaim your narrative — and the healing that can come from being seen.🔗 Show Notes:Follow Anna on Instagram/TikTok: @theannasnappFollow the Chronically Positive Podcast: IG/TT @chronicallypositivepodJoin the Chronic4U Circle – Ila’s creative support group for people with chronic illness: https://chronic4u.com/pages/c4u-circle

You can watch this episode on youtube

In this episode, I sit down with Olivia aka @chronicallyillandhot to discuss our experiences with chronic illness, focusing on the importance of community support, humor, and the emotional toll of living with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome. We share personal stories about navigating chemical sensitivities, the impact chronic illness has on relationships, and the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of living with these conditions, highlighting the need for understanding and support from loved ones.Olivia and I also discuss the complexities of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), including managing allergic reactions, dealing with dietary restrictions, and the emotional challenges that come with it. Throughout the conversation, we touch on how stress affects our health and the importance of finding positivity and support within the chronic illness community.00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Liv00:31 Liv's Journey with Chronic Illness02:44 Connecting Over Shared Experiences04:49 Challenges with Chemical Sensitivities09:29 High School Health Struggles12:08 Supportive Relationships25:48 Struggles with Misdiagnosis and Early Symptoms26:41 Weight Gain and Medication28:12 Living with POTS and Fainting Episodes29:54 Impact of MCAS on Daily Life31:45 Navigating Food-Related Challenges36:29 Coping Strategies and Stress Management44:56 Finding Positivity and Community Support49:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future HopesOlivia's socials:Instagram: @chronicallyillandhotTikTok: @chronicallyillandhot