014 Living with a Chronic Condition with Destiny Davis LPC CRC

Living with vision loss or a chronic condition often feels like navigating a world that isn't quite built for you. In this episode, Matthew Reeves sits down with Destiny Davis, LPC, CRC, a therapist dedicated to the chronic illness community. Destiny shares her powerful personal history, growing up with a father who navigated blindness and a traumatic brain injury, and how that lived experience now informs her clinical work. Together, they explore the "bio-psychosocial" layers of disability—how it affects our bodies, our minds, and our social connections. The conversation delves into the common frustrations of being misunderstood or "gaslit" by the medical community and the isolation that often follows. Destiny introduces the concept of "scaffolding"—the process of providing emotional and logistical support to ourselves and our loved ones as we learn to navigate new challenges. She shares practical tools, like using shared documents to help explain the nuances of a condition to family members, which can reduce physical stress and improve advocacy. Finally, we discuss the role of values-based living. Destiny explains how making decisions based on what we value—rather than just our symptoms—can give our lives meaning and purpose even when an "outcome" like a cure isn't on the horizon. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to bridge the gap between their disability and a rich, gratifying life. Topics Covered: Chronic illness and vision loss, bio-psychosocial impact of disability, medical gaslighting and microaggressions, the concept of scaffolding in relationships, tools for self-advocacy, values-based decision making, navigating the grief of disability, the importance of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs), and finding autonomy through assistive technology. Destiny can be reach at: 404-905-3391 [email protected] The Chronic Illness Therapist ABOUT THE PODCAST inSight Out is your podcast home for living well with vision loss. Host Matthew Reeves (LPC CRC NCC) is a legally-blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor specializing in helping people thrive while living with disability. Matthew is licensed in Georgia and is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor. Please be sure to subscribe to catch every episode. And remember to share the show with others in the blind and low-vision community! CONNECT WITH US Podcast Home: https://insightoutpod.com Talk to Us: https://speakpipe.com/insightoutpod Email: [email protected] Watch on YouTube (with transcripts): youtube.com/@insightoutpod Feed: https://www.insightoutpod.com/feed.xml Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/inSightOut/ Social Media Handle: @insightoutpod   ©Integral Mental Health Services, LLC