Invisible Realities: Life Beyond Chronic Pain, Illness, and Disability | Janet Jay

Janet Jay holds extensive knowledge in an area that we all try to avoid—chronic pain. Despite enduring relentless pain resulting from a back injury compounded by fibromyalgia throughout her life, she's carved a successful career path. Janet is an internationally published freelance journalist, writer, editor and communications specialist with the US Pain Foundation, which includes writing and editing the the INvisible Project magazine. Her unwavering dedication to shedding light on the intricacies of disability, chronic pain, mental health, and invisible illnesses is evident through her work and advocacy.

In this episode, we explore the following topics and more:

• Janet's personal journey with pain and illness and her spinal cord stimulator implant.
• Navigating relationships while experiencing disability and grappling with the loneliness and isolation linked to chronic illness and pain.
• The impact of long COVID on a new wave of individuals with disabilities.
• Evolving perceptions of invisible illnesses and the common misconception of "But you don't look sick."
• The unique grief associated with lifelong diagnoses or conditions.
• The ramifications of the war on drugs on those coping with chronic pain.
• The correlation between trauma and illness.

Connect with Janet: Janet Jay Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | Spoon Theory (Christine Miserandino)