Take a Pain Check

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 diagnosis and the symptoms he faced

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 navigating complex medical conditions...

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 different: a conversation about the short fi...

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 accommodations and finding community at IWK sum...

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 truth behind living with a chronic ill...

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, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain, and...

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, and pageantry, and the realities of...

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 parental involvement, health dispari...

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 south Asian background influenced h...

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 ultimately embraced treatment, and how he...

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 discusses the emotional toll of ste...

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 writing, and how she balances these...

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, shares success stories, and offers p...

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 passion for research, focusing on a...

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 lives. Discover the secrets to strong f...

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 success. Shanesha also talks about h...

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 education, including an undergraduate...

In this episode of Take a Pain Check; Sharan Singh shares her journey of living with multiple chronic illnesses, including Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, and others. Sharan delves into her diagnosis story, detailing the symptoms that led her to seek help, her experiences with Western and regenerative medicine, and the impact these treatments have had on her quality of life. She also opens up about the challenges of m...

Joel Nelson, a passionate advocate in the rheumatic disease community, shares his journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) on the podcast. He discusses the challenges of obtaining a diagnosis and the importance of self-advocacy, especially from a young age. He reflects on the emotional rollercoaster of medication trials and their effects on mental health, emphasizing the stigma surrounding both physical and mental aspects o...