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

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.