Invisible No More: Women, Pain, and the Fight to Be Believed with Laurie Edwards

Have you ever felt invisible in your illness?Ever been told your symptoms were anxiety… exaggeration… or “just stress”?Have you wondered why some stories of illness are believed, while others are dismissed?In this powerful episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with award-winning author, professor, and patient advocate Laurie Edwards — a leading voice in chronic illness storytelling and public health.Long before chronic illness was widely discussed on social media, Laurie was writing about it. Through her groundbreaking books Life Disrupted and In the Kingdom of the Sick, and her essays in outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and The Boston Globe, she has helped shape the national conversation around what it really means to live with chronic disease.But Laurie doesn’t just write about chronic illness. She lives it.In this conversation, we explore:Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in patient advocacyHow chronic illness activism has shaped medical breakthroughs and civil rightsThe impact of Long COVID on public awareness of chronic conditionsWhy women’s pain is still more likely to be dismissed — and the dangerous consequences of that biasThe unique challenges young adults with chronic illness face in education, relationships, and careersHow “writing to heal” can help patients process trauma, reclaim their narrative, and advocate more effectivelyIf you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395Connect with Laure Edwards:https://www.laurieedwardswriter.com/https://www.facebook.com/laurieedwardswriterwww.linkedin.com/pub/laurie-edwards/1/9a5/849Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:Instagram: @pathwaypadvocatesFacebook: Pathway Patient AdvocatesYoutube: Pathway Patient AdvocatesTiktok: Pathway Patient AdvocatesLinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocatespathwaypa.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.