Love in the Time of Long COVID - Chimére and Tory Sweeney

A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast 100% produced by a disabled Covid long hauler. If you'd like to support my work, please check out the following ways you can do so:My ⁠Amazon wish list⁠, which currently focuses on low-spoon activities for my family this summer. We have four kiddos, with three kids who are also navigating disabilities. You can also visit my ⁠⁠new Amazon storefront⁠⁠, where I share only the items I use, love, or highly recommend. If you use my links to buy products you already purchase from Amazon, they'll throw me a few pennies.Check out my my ⁠Bonfire shop⁠, where I create and sell long Covid items (shirts, totes, hats, etc) that reflect my dark sense of humor coping mechanism.---In this episode of A Friend for the Long Haul – A Long COVID Podcast, we dive into love, relationships, and resilience in the face of chronic illness. I sit down with Chimére Sweeney, a Long COVID activist, writer, and retired educator, alongside her husband, Tory Sweeney, to discuss their relationship and journey together.Chimére founded The Black Long COVID Experience, an initiative dedicated to amplifying Black Long COVID stories, advocating for equitable healthcare, and supporting disability access in Black communities. She and Tory met in college and reconnected after Chimére became ill, and their story sheds light on the emotional, social, and practical realities of navigating love and disability.We explore:💜 How childhood relationship models shape adult connection💜 Reconnecting and finding love despite chronic illness challenges💜 Navigating intimacy, disability, and Long COVID’s impact on relationships💜 Advocacy, resilience, and pushing for equity in medical care🚨 Content note: We discuss sex and intimacy with chronic illness, interabled relationships, and mental health topics including suicidal ideation.This episode was recorded in October, and I want to send a huge thank you to Chimére and Tory for their patience, wisdom, and honesty.Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share A Friend for the Long Haul if you can. And if you're feeling extra generous, leave a review. Your support helps get this in front of more earballs and helps me bring more episodes.You can listen to the A Friend for the Long Haul Long Covid Theme Songs playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3n0GXLFRWqDJyifglNNM4K?si=7948dbf2222c4392The information provided in this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast producers, sponsors, or affiliated organizations. Or like, friends? Family? Anyone.This podcast does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional healthcare services. If you have any concerns regarding your health or medical condition, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment based on information heard in this podcast. Please don't compare yourself to someone else you hear, either. Our illnesses are highly individualized and what works for one person may not work for you.While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, medical knowledge is constantly evolving, and we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or applicability of the content discussed. The podcast and its creators assume no responsibility for any actions taken based on the information presented.Additionally, this podcast may feature discussions on sensitive topics related to chronic illness. Listener discretion is advised. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.