Episode 47: Erin Paterson - Huntington’s Disease
Erin opens up about discovering Huntington's disease in her family when she was in her early 30s. She talks about her father and how his outbursts and behavioral changes, often misunderstood, were early signs of the disease. Erin reflects on her own diagnosis, the emotional burden of being gene-positive, and the delicate task of caregiving while also being a mother. We also talk about Erin’s passion for writing and storytelling, particularly her books, which focus on HD, rare diseases, and patient advocacy. She emphasizes the power of storytelling in the HD community, giving a voice to patients, caregivers, and families.
The song that Erin selected is Yer Fall by Hey Rosetta.
Episode 46: Mike Davies - Eczema
Mike discusses his lifelong battle with eczema and recent struggles with suspected topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). After being prescribed steroid creams in 2021, Mike found that using it months apart worsened his flare-ups. Eventually, he stopped using the creams, which led to severe symptoms affecting his entire body. Mike shares the physical and emotional challenges of living with eczema, and the importance of self-advocacy and alternative approaches to treatment. Through his voice, he hopes others will consider ways of managing eczema before moving on to treatments such as steroid creams.
The song that Mike selected is Everybody breaks by Ivan and Alyosha.