Take a Pain Check

Living with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, unpredictable, and often invisible. In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we talk with Marissa Douglas, a PhD student at Georgia Institute of Technology, who has been navigating JDM since childhood. Marissa shares: • What early symptoms were missed and how she finally got diagnosed • How sun exposure, chlorine, and str...

What happens when chronic illness impacts not just one person, but an entire family? In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Estela Mata shares her journey living with chronic pain since her teens, being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and supporting her sisters living with lupus while navigating her own health challenges. As President of Looms for Lupus, Estela has transformed lived experience...

She spent years treating rheumatoid arthritis. Then she became the patient. What happens when the person who’s supposed to have the answers suddenly doesn’t? In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha sits down with Dr. Saimun Singla who is a triple board-certified pediatric rheumatologist whose life changed after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after becoming an attending physician. ...

This week on Take a Pain Check, we’re joined by Ela Murray, a university student who has been living with Central Nervous System Vasculitis which an invisible, life-altering condition since childhood. Symptomatic at just 8 years old and diagnosed at 16 during the height of COVID, Ela shares what it was really like navigating years of uncertainty, MRIs, a brain biopsy, steroids, seizures, and unive...

Your pain might not mean damage and that could change everything. In this episode of  Take a Pain Check , we sit down with Vanessa Blackstone, Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center, to talk about Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) — a science-backed approach helping people move beyond “just managing” chronic pain. We break down how the brain can learn pain, why fear keeps symptoms stuck, a...

What happens when both a mother and daughter are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis? In today’s episode, we sit down with USPORTS basketball athlete, advocate, and STEM Without Limits scholar, McKinley Penninga, and her mom Lisa Penninga, to talk about navigating life as a family living with the same chronic illness. Diagnosed years apart, McKinley and Lisa share:- how psoriatic arthritis shaped t...

He could barely move at 15 and now he’s redefining strength. When doctors told Zac Spinosa he might never train again, he refused to accept it. Diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Macrophage Activation Syndrome, he refused to let that be the end of his story. Instead, he built Forge Fitness, a community where disability doesn’t mean limitation and pain becomes power. In this...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, host Natasha sits down with Stacey Ivits, Registered Social Worker, advocate, and author of Navigating Your Vasculitis Journey. Stacey shares her journey living with vasculitis and Crohn’s disease, highlighting the realities of medical trauma, body image challenges, and the emotional impact of chronic illness. We discuss: Stacey’s diagnosis story and what it w...

At 28, Michael Santillo was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis after years of unexplained pain that made even simple tasks like putting on socks or driving which became nearly impossible. Instead of letting it define him, he turned his journey into an inspiring mission: founding the annual  “Let’s Get Loud for AS”  gala. In this episode of  Take a Pain Check , we talk about: - His road to diagn...

In this episode, we explore the legal landscape surrounding injury, illness, and chronic pain. Personal injury lawyer Shane Katz joins us to unpack the most common misconceptions about personal injury law, the truth behind medical malpractice claims, and the importance of compassionate legal representation. We discuss how the legal system can serve as a tool for empowerment—especially for those na...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Maggie Douglas opens up about her complex journey living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, and PCOS. She walks us through the physical and emotional challenges of early symptoms, delayed diagnosis, and navigating the transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care. This week also features something a little differen...

In this powerful episode of Take a Pain Check, we sit down with Mya Barnett, a driven and inspiring young woman living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Diagnosed at just 11 years old, Mya shares the reality of growing up with a chronic illness, how it shaped her confidence, impacted her daily life, and led to major decisions like undergoing jaw surgery. From navigating school accommodatio...

What happens when you’re diagnosed with the same illness you once watched a friend silently suffer through? In this powerful episode of the Take a Pain Check Podcast, Natasha sits down with Macenzie Rebelo, who shares how Lupus reshaped her life, relationships, and sense of self. From juggling university and dating to confronting stigma and learning to speak up, Macenzie reveals the unfiltered tru...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we’re joined by  @DrAndreaFurlan  , a physician, researcher, educator, and YouTube star who is transforming the way we understand and approach chronic pain. From her early days studying medicine in Brazil to becoming one of Canada’s foremost pain experts, Dr. Furlan shares her personal journey with chronic pain, explains the differences between nociceptive, ne...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we are joined by the Jenna Kedy, a passionate advocate living with Juvenile Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. We dive deep into Jenna’s diagnosis journey, navigating school and childhood with a chronic illness, and the challenges of finding proper pediatric care. Jenna opens up about learning to advocate for herself, balancing a busy life of advocacy, volunteering,...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, our host Natasha introduces our guest Dr Erica Lawson. Dr. Erica Lawson is a pediatric rheumatologist and Program Director for the UCSF Pediatric Rheumatology Fellowship. We dive into her journey in medicine, passion for pediatric rheumatology, and the challenges young patients face—from diagnosis to transitioning to adult care. Dr. Lawson shares insights on p...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha is joined by the inspiring Sahara as she shares her journey of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. They dive into the challenges of getting a diagnosis amid uncertainty, navigating university while managing a chronic illness, and finding the right resources for understanding RA.Sahara opens up about how her sout...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha sits down with Brandon Volesky to explore his journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)—from being diagnosed at just two years old to navigating the challenges of childhood, overcoming stigma, and adapting his mindset to thrive as a husband, father, and professional. Brandon shares how his fear of medication affected his condition, how he ultima...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, host Natasha welcomes Stella Miller to share her journey with Juvenile Arthritis. Stella opens up about her early symptoms, the challenges of receiving a diagnosis, and the impact of medications like methotrexate and Orencia. She reflects on navigating friendships, advocating for her needs, and the support system that has helped her along the way. Stella also...

In this week’s Take a Pain Check episode, we’re joined by Abigail Meyers, who shares her journey of living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and Cerebral Palsy. Abigail opens up about the challenges of receiving a diagnosis, navigating symptoms, and overcoming medical gaslighting. We dive into the emotional and social impact of growing up with a chronic illness, her passion for theatre and...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha chats with Carroll Meilleur, an advocate for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and senior member of True North Disability Services. Carroll shares her journey from dentistry to advocacy, discussing DTC eligibility, benefits, misconceptions, application tips, and support for individuals with rheumatic diseases. She highlights the importance of advocacy, s...

In this week’s episode of Take a Pain Check, Kate Bourne shares her powerful journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), discussing the 12-year delay in her diagnosis and the profound impact it had on her confidence, mobility, and academic life. Kate reflects on the emotional toll of not having answers for so long, navigating school and daily life with unexplained symptoms. She also highlights her...

In this milestone 100th episode, Natasha sits down with her siblings, Natalia and Nikhil, to reveal the raw, real, and unfiltered moments behind living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. From the first signs of JIA to the highs and lows of family life, this episode unveils how her siblings stood by her side, the unexpected challenges they faced together, and how JIA transformed each of their live...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we sit down with Shanesha Scott, who shares her inspiring journey with polymyositis. Shanesha opens up about her diagnosis, treatment challenges, and how she navigates the emotional and physical changes brought on by her condition. We discuss her work as an industrial and organizational psychologist and the impact of workplace dynamics on employee morale and s...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Natasha sits down with Kent Messner, who shares his inspiring journey of living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from childhood to adulthood. Kent discusses his early diagnosis, the challenges he faced using crutches during middle and high school, and the impact of bullying on his self-esteem. He reflects on his time in a rehabilitation center, his pursuit of ed...