The Sunflower Conversations

Laura Pedernuzzo shares her experiences living with multiple disabilities and provides invaluable insights into disability advocacy. She explains how both visible and invisible disabilities shape her daily interactions with the world, highlighting the unique challenges of each. • Living with cerebral palsy creates physical barriers, but the fatigue it causes is often misunderstood • People with bo...

Andrea Carstensen, a double Master's student at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and Sunflower Friend. Andrea discovered the Sunflower at Gatwick Airport after moving from the US to the UK for university. As a young person living with non-visible chronic health conditions, she shares her journey from Sunflower lanyard user to advocate. Through high-level UN advocacy...

Erin Philpott shares her journey with Stargardt disease, revealing how she navigated diagnosis as a teenager and now balances motherhood while advocating for invisible disabilities in the workplace and beyond. • Erin faces significant daily challenges with transportation as a legally blind mother to a five-year-old • Often encounters misconceptions as she doesn't "look blind" withou...

We welcome Sean Ewart and Manny Caro from the Spondylitis Association of America to provide an overview of Spondyloarthritis (SpA), a family of closely related inflammatory diseases that affect millions worldwide yet remain significantly under-recognised and diagnosed. Despite affecting more people than rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and ALS combined, SpA struggles with awareness. The p...

Terri Louise Brown has Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS), experiencing frequent relapses and daily pain. In this conversation, Terri shares her journey from MS diagnosis at 27 to founding the charity Talks With MS. The charity provides community support for those living with multiple sclerosis.  Cultural attitudes in BAME communities can create barriers to seeking medical help for chroni...

Saran Chamberlain shares her journey as a young stroke survivor, from experiencing a life-changing event at 38 to becoming a national advocate for the stroke community. • Initially misdiagnosed as a migraine, the stroke left her entire left side paralysed with no sensation • Saran discusses the challenges of identity shift and the unseen deficits like fatigue, depression, and sensory overload • Hi...

Join us as we welcome Shaylee Raye Hunter, Miss Petite Utah, who shares her journey as an advocate for women's rights and disability visibility. Shaylee opens up about her personal lived experiences with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO), gastroparesis, and short bowel syndrome. In an open discussion, she shares how she manages her health conditions with medical interventions, such...

Téa Runback shares her personal journey living with multiple invisible disabilities, including autism, ADHD, and a collection of autoimmune conditions, while highlighting the barriers faced in healthcare and employment settings.

Kate Middleton, CEO of The Wren Project, joins us for a special edition as part of the Podcasthon , which seeks to spotlight thousands of charities. In this episode, Kate shares her personal journey with multiple autoimmune diseases and explains how the body attacks itself instead of viruses. The Wren Project pairs individuals with dedicated volunteers for up to six months of regular support. It p...

In this episode, we chat with Elisha Samuels, who recently won Hidden Disability Personality of the Year at The Empowerment Awards by Talks with MS. The award was sponsored by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and presented by our podcast host, Chantal. Elisha shares her own unique experiences of living with multiple sclerosis, discussing her challenges, the importance of a supportive workplace, socie...

“...we really need more representation of this so we can smash these attitudes for all disabilities.” Peta Hooke interviews Zoe, a disabled journalist, copyright, author and public speaker. Zoe is a passionate advocate fighting against ableism and removing the stigma. She discusses attitudinal barriers and how someone may have a disability that is not visible, but their reactions are, and we shoul...

Karen Thackray from DEBRA UK and Lisa Irvine joined us to discuss the rare skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), sometimes known as butterfly skin. Lisa and her daughter live with EB and offer first-hand insights into the genetic skin condition that causes painful blisters. Karen breaks down the four main types of EB and their varying impacts. Through our conversation, we aim to raise awarene...

Chris Stratta from The Leprosy Missions is our guest this week on the podcast to educate us about how Leprosy, a curable disease often associated with stigma, affects thousands globally today. This episode explores its symptoms, the challenges those diagnosed face, and the critical role of education in combatting fear and discrimination. We discuss the importance of early detection and treatment t...

“I think it's important for people to realise that disabled people can be successful.” Peta Hooke interviews Amelia, a queer, autistic and very opinionated social justice advocate (her words).  Amelia combines the professional expertise as a social worker with her personal understanding of the intricacies of living with a non-obvious disability and talks about some of the unique challenges th...

Join us as we welcome Lauren von Stackelberg, the Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the LEGO Group, to the podcast to learn more about the new Sunflower customisable minifigures and LEGO sets featuring the official Sunflower. Lauren leads us through the iconic toy brand’s disability inclusion journey that started in 2011 beginning with a LEGO DUPLO character in a wheelchair, expanding ove...

This episode was recorded at Rise4Disability. Experience the world of accessible travel in aviation with Michael Connolly as we welcome him to the Sunflower Conversations podcast at the Rise4Disability event in Milton Keynes. Michael shares his vast knowledge of the hurdles faced by travellers with disabilities and how innovations like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower are making a difference.  Th...

“…the mental, challenges are as great as perhaps the physical ones.“  Peta Hooke interviews Fran, an ambassador for MS Australia. Fran chats about confronting her late diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and some of the individualised challenges that people with MS face, including heat sensitivity, fatigue, visual impairment and mobility issues. MS is the most common acquired chronic neurological...

This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live. Meet Eva Abley, the unstoppable force behind the memoir "The Good, The Bad and The Wobbly." At only 16 years old, Eva takes us on a journey through her life, from managing her symptoms of cerebral palsy to her experiences in the educational system and the highs of performing on stage. Eva is honest in our chat about her life, which hasn&apo...

Gabrielle Hine shares her life-altering journey with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and fibromyalgia. Gabby experiences symptoms such as paralysis, non-epileptic seizures and blindness daily. Gabby paints a vivid picture of how these misfired signals within her nervous system have reshaped her life, leading to a cascade of challenges like anxiety and not being able to work. We talk about t...

“People say to me things like, oh, you can't be autistic. That's not right. You make eye contact, or you do public speaking for your job… I didn't disclose it until I was forced to due to work issues.” Peta Hooke interviews Ashlee, an autistic woman and a mother of three amazing children who are also autistic. Ashlee talks about coping with unexpected change, the challenges of invis...

Richard Luke from Scope and Karen Watson from Cerebral Palsy (CP) Adult Advice Service UK joined the podcast to answer questions from the Sunflower community about CP.   Cerebral Palsy develops before, during or soon after birth, and in this conversation, we discuss the fundamental issue of NHS care after childhood, leaving a gaping void in ongoing support. The episode also uncovers why CP, a comp...

“You have mental health challenges, but you are still who you are.” Peta Hooke interviews Joshua about Mental Health and Tourette’s Syndrome. Joshua discusses challenges in public places that cause severe anxiety, and how the Sunflower can help. Joshua would like to see stronger support across essential services such as public transport networks and supermarkets. Mental health is a state of mental...

Unlock the secrets to thriving as a self-employed individual with disabilities in our latest episode featuring Lydia Wilkins, a freelance journalist and editor at Disability Review magazine. Hear Lydia's compelling personal journey as she navigates the workforce as an autistic person living with long COVID. We tackle the significant disability employment gap in the UK and explore why traditio...

“People judge before they stand back and think, you know, there might be another reason for, for a person behaving the way that they do.” Peta Hooke interviews Helle about Pome disease and some of the everyday challenges Helle faces from getting dressed, to speaking to getting around.   Pompe disease is a rare, inherited, and without treatment, often fatal muscular disorder. Pompe Disease is cause...

Discover the vital role of the pituitary gland and its impact on our health with Gretchen Jordan, Associate Director of the Cushing Support and Research Foundation. Gretchen shares her compelling personal journey with Cushing's disease from diagnosis to advocacy. This episode uncovers the critical functions of cortisol and the often-overlooked symptoms of this rare condition, emphasising the...