In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Daniel Correa is joined by author, adaptive fashion model, and disability advocate Sarah Todd Hammer. Sarah Todd shares her experiences with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) from diagnosis to today, highlighting the diagnosis and treatment processes and how she has continued to follow her dreams throughout the years. Dr. Correa is then joined by Dr. Kiran Thakur, a neurologist and expert in infections that affect the brain and nervous system. Dr. Thakur is an associate professor of Neurology at Columbia University and has worked around the world studying how diseases like viruses can lead to serious neurologic conditions. Dr. Thakur explains what AFM is, the effects it can have, and what can be learned about how to care for patients with rare and life-changing neurologic conditions.

Additional Resources

Sarah Todd Hammer

Rising Measles Cases Raise Concerns About Serious Brain Complications

Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM)

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

How Disability Advocate Wesley Hamilton Became Empowered by Adversity

Parenting and Writing While Disabled with Jessica Slice

How Paula Carozzo is Redefining Disability and Advocating for Her Community

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Sarah Todd Hammer @sarahtoddhammer; Dr. Kiran Thakur @columbiamed

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, hosts Dr. Daniel Correa and Dr. Katy Peters answer listener question to celebrate World Brain Day! They discuss healthy habits, finding support in small towns, and coping with big changes after a diagnosis. Do you have a question or topic you’d like to hear featured? Send us an email!

Additional Resources

Try These Habits for a Healthy Brain on World Brain Day—and Every Day

Natural Disasters Can Be More Dangerous for People with Neurological Conditions—Here’s How You Can Prepare

A Call to Action to Provide Poststroke Care for Impoverished and Rural Patients

Functional Connectivity in Adult Brain Tumor Patients: A Systematic Review

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Answering Your Rare Disease Day Questions!

Holiday Episode with our Listeners

Answering Your Spinal Cord Injury Questions with Dr. Shelly Hsieh

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD

In this two-part episode of the Brain & Life Podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Elizabeth Ansell, founder and director of #NotJustFatigue. #NotJustFatigue is a nonprofit organization shining a light on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME/CFS, and educates patients, clinicians, and health organizations about the condition. Elizabeth shares how raising awareness, and furthering research really improves the everyday lives of people living with ME/CFS. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. W. Ian Lipkin, who is known internationally for his research and is the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology, Professor of Neurology, and Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Lipkin discusses what’s next in ME/CFS research and what the future could hold.

Additional Resources

#NotJustFatigue

How to Fight Fatigue

Understanding the Impact of Invisible Illnesses on Daily Life

How Families Are Leading the Charge in Rare Disease Advocacy

Other Brain & Life Podcast Episodes on Similar Topics

Rare Thoughts on a Rarer Neurologic Condition

Shedding Light and Love on a Rare Genetic Condition with Deborah Vauclare

Neurofibromatosis Advocacy and Community Building with the Gilbert Family Foundation

We want to hear from you!

Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast?

• Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206
• Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org

Social Media: Elizabeth Ansell @notjustfatigue; Dr. W. Ian Lipkin @columbiapublichealth

Guests: Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD