Sarah Hammes and Stephanie Miller from the Invisible Illness Awareness Network joined our Georgia Southern chapter to discuss patient advocacy!
The Invisible Illness Awareness Network is a non-profit organization that raises awareness for invisible illnesses to (primarily) pre-health students so that future healthcare workers know about these conditions before they become healthcare professionals.
They are looking to expand to other schools! Learn more at their website (linked here)!
For a recording of the November 14th meeting, you can click the button below!
During the meeting, Sarah and Stephanie did an excellent job of breaking down how to advocate before, during, and after doctor's appointments.
When it comes to advocating with your doctor for accommodations in school, this can vary widely from student to student. Within our Georgia Southern chapter, we have commonly navigated these conversations with help from one another. Everything from finding a doctor locally to what exactly needs to be included in a doctor's accommodation letter. This can be a tough process, especially when someone is uninsured or underinsured.
Leaders at the Invisible Illness Awareness Network are available to provide insight alongside those here at SDAG! You can reach IIAN leadership individually through email at smiller@iianetwork.org or shammes@iianetwork.org !
Patient Resources Available Online!
Find a community for your rare disease at RareDiseases.Org/Rare-Diseases
Search for condition-specific Facebook groups, Discord servers, and Instagram pages
Patient Networks serve as online hubs to connect chronic illness patients with their communities. Here are a few that we recommend:
Social Health Network has over 40 condition-specific patient network communities, full of information on every step of navigating your illness. Check them out at the link here!
Patients Rising is a nonprofit focused on empowering patient advocates in healthcare, legislation, and more! Check out their resources here!
Other trusted patient networks: The Mighty, Chronic Warrior Collective, and Stuff That Works
Get paid for your patient insights through Savvy Cooperative and Rare Patient Voice!
To check out the meeting PowerPoint, click the link below!
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