Surviving Sepsis, Living with Disability, and Reclaiming Life Through Writing with Journalist Jackie Duda EP 160

KEY LINKS:  Learn more about sepsis HERE  Listen to Jackie’s 1:20 Podcast HERE  Connect with Jackie on Instagram HERE  Jackie’s GoFundMe page is HERE  What does it really mean to start over—after nearly everything has been taken away?  In this powerful and deeply inspiring conversation, I talk with journalist and advocate Jackie Duda, who shares her extraordinary journey through chronic illness, disability, and survival. Once a thriving writer, Jackie’s life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with autoimmune and connective tissue disorders including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, POTS, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. But it was a near-fatal bout of sepsis in 2021, triggered by a colon perforation, that changed everything.  Jackie opens up about the physical and emotional toll her health battles took on her and her family—and how she slowly, courageously found her way back. Now, she’s using her voice to raise awareness about sepsis, chronic illness, and osteoporosis, and to help others reclaim joy despite life's hardest moments.  WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:  What sepsis is—and why awareness could save your life  How chronic conditions like Crohn’s, POTS, and Ehlers-Danlos can derail a life  The emotional impact illness has on families  Why osteoporosis should be taken seriously—at any age  How writing became a lifeline and tool for advocacy  The importance of community, joy, and owning your health journey  FOLLOW ‘AGE BETTER’:  To join this adventure, remember to subscribe or follow the "Age Better with Barbara Hannah Grufferman" podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Yep, you can watch it or just listen!    WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!   Your questions have spurred many episodes, so please keep them coming! Share your ideas for topics and guest suggestions at [e-mail]  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices