Episode 64 - Advocacy Across Borders: Kabir’s TAPC Journey from South Africa

Get ready to be inspired by this podcast episode hosted by Natasha Trehan and featuring Kabir Budlender! Kabir is a 16-year-old high school student and JIA patient from Johannesburg, South Africa. He's not just any ordinary teenager though - he's a passionate advocate for educating others about what life is really like when you're living with chronic illness and invisible disability. He discusses his medication journey for POTS, JIA and IBD including his experience with Humira and Methotrexate. Not only that, Natasha and Kabir both discuss their passion for music and how it continues to be a form of escapism despite the hurdles of arthritis. Kabir sits on the Executive team of the Take a Pain Check Foundation and is also a member of Arthritis Kids South Africa. In this episode, Kabir dives deeper into the issue of rheumatic illness in South Africa and how challenging it can be to get a diagnosis if you don't have medical aid or insurance. He also touches upon the language barrier to easy access of information, the maintenance of medications in lower socioeconomic areas and the barriers for access to care - North America vs South Africa’s health care system. He discusses the social aspects of having a chronic illness and being in high school as well as accommodations. Lastly, Kabir shares how getting involved with organizations like TAPC can be a beneficial part of one's rheumatic disease journey. Relevant links: William's Story: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmOwvc... WORD Day Video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjnEZe... Kabir's Blog: https://www.takeapaincheck.com/post/h... Kabir's socials: Instagram: @kbudlender_ and @thechronicallyill_teen Check out our socials: Website: https://www.takeapaincheck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... Twitter: https://twitter.com/takeapaincheck​​​ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheck Growing Pains, Copyright, 2018, Alessia Cara