What happens when autoimmune disease meets real life?

Send us Fan MailA diagnosis is one thing.Living with it every day is something entirely different.In this deeply personal solo episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston shares what she's learned after more than 25 years of living with multiple sclerosis and decades of working as a patient advocate and healthcare navigator.From navigating healthcare barriers and managing symptoms to finding purpose, meaningful work, and personal fulfillment, Michele explores what happens after the diagnosis—when chronic illness becomes part of everyday life.This conversation is for anyone living with:Multiple sclerosis (MS)LupusRheumatoid arthritis (RA)Psoriatic arthritisGraves' diseaseFibromyalgiaOther autoimmune or chronic health conditions💡 In This Episode, Michele Discusses:How to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for yourselfCommon barriers to care for people with chronic illnessWhy patient advocacy mattersHow autoimmune disease impacts work and career choicesFinding purpose after a life-changing diagnosisManaging fatigue, brain fog, and fluctuating energyRedefining success after chronic illnessBuilding resilience and emotional well-beingWhy asking for help is not failureHow to pace yourself and protect your energyRebuilding confidence and self-sufficiencyTurning lived experience into advocacy and support for others🧠 One of the Biggest Questions Michele ExploresHow do you rebuild your identity after diagnosis?Michele shares that many people living with chronic illness struggle with redefining who they are when life no longer looks the way they expected.She discusses:Redefining achievementAdjusting expectationsFinding meaningful goalsPursuing purpose while honoring your body's limitsCreating a life that works with your condition instead of against it"You need to encourage yourself to think about how can I be independent."⚡ Managing Energy and Avoiding BurnoutOne of the most practical sections of the episode focuses on recognizing when you're pushing too hard.Michele discusses warning signs such as:Persistent fatigueWorsening autoimmune symptomsDisrupted sleepIncreased anxietyDepressionFrequent flare-upsShe encourages listeners to build routines, use tools like calendars and reminders, pace themselves, and learn how to say "no" when necessary."No is not a dirty word."❤️ Purpose MattersResearch continues to show that people living with chronic illness often experience greater psychological well-being when they find meaning and purpose despite adversity.For Michele, purpose came through:Patient advocacyCoachingEducationMentoringSharing stories through Beyond My DiagnosisAnd she encourages listeners to explore their own path toward fulfillment, whether through work, volunteering, creativity, family, or community involvement.🔗 Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeImmune Confident InstituteFounded by Kara WadaImmune Confident InstituteInternational Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice (IMSMP)IMSMP ProgramPositive Psychology ResourcesMartin SeligmanPositive Psychology Center at University of PennsylvaniaMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)Developed by Jon Kabat-ZinnCenter for Mindfulness and MBSR ResourcesNarrative MedicineCreated by Rita CharonColumbia Narrative Medicine Program