Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of chronic illness, physical pain, medical trauma, and the emotional impact of living with invisible conditions. Listener discretion is advised.

“The more experience you have with something, the less hard it gets. The more knowledge, the more wisdom you have about it. It's freeing your mind.” — Carolyne Shallop

In this episode, host Asma Jacob speaks with her niece, Carolyne Shallop, about life with two autoimmune conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and vasculitis.

Carolyne opens up about her journey from diagnosis to acceptance, the emotional toll of chronic illness, and how her support network helped her find strength and purpose.

This conversation highlights the power of shared experience and the importance of being seen and understood. Whether you're living with an invisible condition or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, honesty, and connection.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s okay to do what works best for you, even if it looks different from others.

• Leaning on trusted people can bring comfort, clarity, and strength.

• Find supportive healthcare professionals who truly listen and advocate for you.

• Connecting with others who have similar experiences can help ease feelings of isolation.

About Carolyne Shallop:

Carolyne Shallop was born in Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. She moved to England aged 12, with her mum and siblings. For the past 13 and a half years, Carolyne has been living with 2 Autoimmune Disorders. In December of 2008, at the age of 21, she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, after about 9 months of symptoms the majority of which was joint pain. In January of 2014, Carolyne was diagnosed with Vasculitis, after a major flare-up, and in April of 2014, she was told the type of Vasculitis she has is Microscopic Polyangiitis.

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Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of stigma, isolation, and parental guilt, which may be sensitive for some listeners.

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, host Asma Jacob speaks with Karen Brennan, a family practitioner, advocate, and mother, about her journey supporting neurodivergent children and families.

Karen shares her personal and professional insights into recognising the signs of a neurodivergent child, navigating diagnoses, and understanding how to best support a neurotypical child.

Together, they explore the power of understanding neurodivergence in children, learning to accept, and holding a safe space for parents within the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) community.

Karen also highlights her work supporting children with additional support needs and their families, emphasing the value of community, education, and self-care for parents.

“Parents are not failing and it's not their fault because it's about having the resources, the tools, the energy.”

Key Takeaways from the episode:

• Community and connection can help parents feel seen and supported.

• Recognising and accepting the signs of neurodivergence in children fosters understanding.

• It’s important to hold a non-judgmental space for parents of neurodivergent and neurotypical children.

• Parents of children with additional support need and deserve time for self-care to sustain their wellbeing.

About Karen:

Karen Brennan is a dedicated parenting practitioner and mother of two, including a child recently diagnosed as autistic. Karen is the founder of Cariad ASD & PDA Hub (formerly Pandarama Parent Support Group North Wales) and works as a self-employed trainer with the PDA Society. Through her advocacy, blogging, and online forums, Karen empowers parents and carers navigating neurodivergence with compassion and practical guidance.

Resources:

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“I reduce demands before an activity so that my anxiety reduces.”

In this episode of Your Voice Matters, Asma Jacob chats with Julia Daunt, a passionate advocate for the neurodivergent community. Julia shares her lived experience with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and ADHD, offering insights into how she overcame the challenges she faced from childhood and adulthood.

She discusses the lack of early support, the impact of PDA on daily life, and the strategies she has developed to help her succeed. Through her work as an author, blogger, and speaker, Julia raises awareness about PDA and empowers others with practical tools for self-acceptance and support.

Key Takeaways:

• Finding a supportive neurodivergent community can be validating and life-changing.

• ADHD medication helped Julia process her PDA traits and navigate daily challenges.

• Letting go of societal expectations allows for more ease in completing daily tasks.

“I reduce demands before an activity so that my anxiety reduces. When I'm doing whatever it is what I'm doing, my anxiety obviously will increase, but because it was low to start with, it doesn't go above what I can handle, so I don't get to the point of meltdown. And then after, I'll have a period of recovery, so that it goes down again.”

About Julia Daunt:

Julia Daunt is an advocate, author, and public speaker dedicated to raising awareness about PDA and ADHD. As a neurodivergent individual, she shares her experiences to promote understanding, acceptance, and better support systems for others. Through her writing, consulting, and public talks, Julia works to empower individuals and families navigating PDA and neurodivergence.

Learn more about Achievable Journey

Follow Your Voice Matters and Connect with Asma on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Your Voice Matters wherever you listen to podcasts!

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from hearing Asma’s story.