Fighting to Be Heard: The Reality of Chronic Illness in Healthcare

Fighting to Be Heard: The Reality of Chronic Illness in Healthcare

Author: G-PACT non profit March 25, 2026 Duration: 48:49
Surviving out of Spite
BusinessNon-profit

Navigating the healthcare system with a chronic illness can feel overwhelming, frustrating, and, at times, isolating. In this episode of Surviving Out of Spite, Sam sits down with Meredith Mangold for a real and honest conversation about what it truly means to advocate for yourself as a patient.

Meredith shares her journey living with ulcerative colitis and the many challenges she’s faced along the way. Together, Sam and Meredith dive into the realities of chronic illness care; from difficult medical appointments and medical gaslighting to the emotional toll of constantly explaining your symptoms and fighting to be heard.

They explore the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, how to build stronger patient-provider relationships, and why open conversations about chronic illness, digestive health, and invisible illness matter. This episode also highlights the power of community support and storytelling in helping patients feel less alone, and more empowered in their healthcare journey.

Whether you’re living with a chronic illness like gastroparesis or ulcerative colitis, navigating misdiagnosis, or struggling to feel heard by doctors, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters.



Hosted by two people navigating life with gastroparesis, Surviving out of Spite is a raw and real conversation from the G-PACT non-profit. This isn't a clinical lecture; it's the sound of two friends unpacking the daily reality of a chronic condition, finding humor in the absurd moments and solidarity in the shared struggles. You'll hear candid personal stories that range from frustrating to triumphant, alongside practical tips forged from lived experience. The dialogue covers everything from managing health and relationships to simply preserving your identity beyond a diagnosis. Tuning into this podcast feels like pulling up a chair to a kitchen table conversation where no topic is off-limits and laughter is considered essential medicine. It builds a community through audio, reminding anyone facing a similar journey that they are understood. Each episode explores the complex patient experience with honesty, aiming to inform, connect, and affirm that navigating life with gastroparesis is a story of resilience, often fueled by a bit of defiant spirit.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 44

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