Share
![cover art for New Interview with Chronic Illness Blogger Pamela Jessen About Chronic Pain, DISH, Diabetes, Hypothyroid, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia, BiPolar, and Volunteering](https://res.cloudinary.com/pippa/image/fetch/h_750,w_750,f_auto/https://assets.pippa.io/shows/5b6ba27ab39d904e57d877bb/1569437114950-36d051ff9c8b589d6a36edbad5bed1c9.jpeg)
Invisible Not Broken - Chronic Illness Podcast Network
New Interview with Chronic Illness Blogger Pamela Jessen About Chronic Pain, DISH, Diabetes, Hypothyroid, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia, BiPolar, and Volunteering
pamelajessen.com, @pamjessen, pamelajessen1
Name *
Pamela Jessen
Gender or Pronoun For Us to Use
Female
Male
Prefer not to say
they
Other:
Chronic Pain
Chronic Fatigue from Fibromyalgia
a spinal condition called D.I.S.H.,
15
I was an Administrative Specialist and Certified Event Planner
I would still be working, probably in Retail Support or as an Executive Assistant, and I'd still be singing in my barbershop chorus and quartet
It's mostly about pacing and resting. I do a lot of my life on the computer with blogging and volunteering.
If the world was more accessible, that would be great. I use a walker when I'm out and occasionally a wheelchair and life is hard when you are mobility impaired.
Not really...just pacing and staying grateful for the good things in life
Excellent support, my husband is wonderful and takes care of a lot around the house that I can't do, and my friends are good listeners!
Yes, because most of my illnesses are invisible, it can be easy to say "you look fine", but because I use a cane and/or walker, people can tell I have some health issues. Before I used the cane, especially at work, people wouldn't believe me, because I'd still be hauling mailing boxes around and lifting files and stuff, or items for events. I didn't want to show any weaknesses in front of others.
No, I've been very lucky. It does affect my sex life, but not my overall relationship with my husband.
I have had suicidal thoughts in the past and that's scary to talk about. There's usually a depression that comes with chronic illness and I haven't been immune to that.
I have great doctors and haven't personally had a problem, but I know of many who have.
Prayer, meditation, pacing and medications.
I'm most concerned about my health continuing to spiral downwards and losing my ability to do "normal' things. I'm most hopeful about the new research into chronic pain and the advances that might be coming to help us.
I'm very proud of my volunteer work so would like to make sure that's mentioned.
That There Is Always Hope!!!
The lapboard I use with my Macbook pro so I can live and direct my life from my recliner.
More episodes
View all episodes
Using Self-Portraits to Represent Chronic Pain
01:00:29|Monica Michelle is joined by artist Kyrianna Bolles.Kyrianna lives with chronic pain.In this episode, Monica and Kyrianna discuss: Kyrianna’s struggle to be accommodated for her pain throughout school yearsHow Kyrianna uses her portraits to help represent other’s chronic conditionsThe communities Kyrianna has built, from a college support group to an artist collectiveKyrianna’s favorite tools for art and chronic painTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro to Kyrianna 10:45 Kyrianna’s self portraits 24:42 Kyrianna’s Support group 33:40 Animus45:57 Kyriannas favorite support tools The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comDory’s Corner: New Podcast intro with Host Nick Clemmons
01:00:25|Monica Michelle is interviewed by consultant and content creator Nick Clemmons. Nick recently started the blog Dory’s Corner with Invisible Not Broken. A companion podcast hosted by Nick will be released soon.Nick lives with Sickle Cell Disease. Monica lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, MCAS, and Fibromyalgia.In this episode, Nick and Monica discuss:Monica’s diagnostic history and her relationship with her disabilitiesHow Monica learned to advocate for herselfLack of media representation influencing abled people’s perspectives of disabled folksHow Monica’s family functions around disabilityTIMESTAMPS00:42 - Monica’s history and relationship with her disabilities13:06 - How Monica found her voice *Trigger Warning: Mention of SA* 31:40 - Media representation45:09 - Monica’s familyThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comDisability Access in the Education System and How to Support Disabled Folks’ Needs with Nick Clemmons
54:05|Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Nick Clemmons.Nick lives with Sickle Cell Disease.In this episode, Monica and Nick discuss:The ways disabled folks are often forgotten in education infrastructureHow Nick navigates societal limitations to achieve his goalsDisability representation in the mediaKnowing how to realistically offer help to disabled folksTIMESTAMPS00:42 - ADA, Title IX, and disability access in schools20:08 - How Nick makes and achieves opportunities 28:40 - Media and disability40:42 - How to respectfully be concerned about someone else’s needsThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comVulnerability, Resiliency, and Advocacy with Tim Reitsma
47:06|Monica Michelle is joined by consultant and podcast host Tim Reitma.Tim lives with Crohn's Disease.In this episode, Monica and Tim discuss: Tim’s resiliency through managing his Crohn’sThe importance of self-advocacy, especially in the workplace Tim’s podcast why he shares stories of those with invisible illness TIMESTAMPS00:47 - Tim's diagnosis 06:31 - How and why Tim applies self advocacy15:41 - Why Tim started his podcast22:42 - Invisible condition etiquette31:00 - What HR can do better for employees with invisible illness39:31 - Tools Tim uses to care for his Crohn’s outside the homeThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comTech and Disability: What VR Offers the Disabled Community with Sunny Ammerman
01:10:27|Monica Michelle is joined by artist and disability advocate Sunny AmmermanSunny lives with Septo-optic dysplasia, panhypopituitarism, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, and is missing a membrane in the brain called the "septum pellucidum".In this episode, Monica and Sunny discuss: Sunny’s complex disorders and how she copes with themEverything VR provides from accessible gaming, social platforms and the potential for better online education.Various VR/AR games and their gameplay Sunny’s VR support groupTIMESTAMPS00:45 - What VR/AR offers for chronically ill and disabled folks11:57 - Sunny’s conditions and how she copes with them17:55 - Features that make VR games accessible or inaccessible as well as different games and their play experiences37:13 - The social aspects of virtual gaming51:32 - What opportunities VR has for the future1:04:49 - Sunny’s VR support group The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comReporting on Chronic Illness and Disability with Journalist Julia Metraux
39:16|Monica Michelle is joined by Journalist Julia Metraux.Julia lives with vasculitis, mild to moderate hearing loss, and has experienced long COVID.In this episode, Monica and Julia discuss: Julia's diagnosis with vasculitis and how it influences her journalistic lensHow community impacts the mental health of those with chronic illnessHow Julia and Monica find positives and negatives in the internet spaces for chronically ill and disabled folksThe politics of how government, businesses, and celebrities influence the chronic illness community TIMESTAMPS00:32 - Julia's diagnostic journey07:02 - Julia’s work reporting on the online community of chronic illness 16:32 - The effect of Internet communities on chronically ill and disabled folks26:46 - How Julia’s illness impacts her work, both in what she writes about and how she manages her lifestyleThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comAuthor of “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor,” Physiotherapist Kevin Hunt
31:29|Monica Michelle is joined by author & physiotherapist Kevin Hunt.Kevin lives with chronic pain.In this episode, Monica and Kevin discuss: Kevin’s philosophy of pain management as a physiotherapist who experiences chronic pain. The Hexagon Model, a life-management tool for focusing on what’s important to you.Kevin’s idea behind his new book.Using pain as a guide.TIMESTAMPS00:34 - Kevin’s work as a physiotherapist specializing in the experience of pain 06:44 - The Hexagon Model for managing your life’s needs14:00 - Putting aside the idea of a “quick fix”19:45 - Kevin’s personal experience with pain and how he uses it with patients28:44 - Kevin’s book, “Pain: The Ultimate Mentor”The full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comAuthor of “Through the Pain: The Silent Suffering & Triumph of a Personal Trainer”: John K. Frazier
28:35|Monica Michelle is joined by author & personal trainer John K. Frazier.John lives with ankylosing spondylitis.In this episode, Monica and John discuss: John’s work as a physical trainer and authorChronic pain comparisonsPersonal triumphTIMESTAMPS00:50 - John’s business & diagnosis07:19 - Chronic pain olympics09:31 - Talking about & hiding a diagnosis15:09 - Personal triumph18:24 - Staying in the present23:29 - The superman complexThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.comThe Creative Process, Self Worth, and Dating with Disability: Laura Mustard
31:08|Monica Michelle is joined by musician Laura Mustard.Laura lives with VATER syndrome.In this episode, Monica and Laura discuss: Laura’s inspiration for her upcoming musical EP.How Laura’s illness impacted her recent relationship & self-image.Laura’s creative process, new music, and social media pressure.TIMESTAMPS00:30 - Laura’s new EP / Monica’s recent COVID experience05:32 - Relationships with chronic illness11:20 - Image and self acceptance with disability15:32 - Laura’s creative process and current projects20:05 - Pursuing creativity despite social media attentionThe full transcript and all links mentioned can be found on the episode page on invisiblenotbroken.com