Aoife Quinn is 23, from Galway, and living with a rare condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Right now, her symptoms are manageable.
But she knows what’s coming.

She knows there’s a drug that could slow the progression of her condition and protect her future.

The problem?

It has been deemed “not value for money.”

In this episode, we talk about:

• Being diagnosed at 18
• Living with uncertainty and fear
• The impact on family and identity
• Fighting for access to life-changing treatment

This isn’t just about chronic illness.

It’s about what happens when the treatment exists… but you can’t access it.

Aoife isn’t asking for a miracle.
She’s asking for a chance.

🔗 Support Aoife - https://www.change.org/p/make-skyclarys-available-in-ireland

IG - @aoifequinn31

Massive thank you to todays sponsor Western Auto Parts Oranmore.

For all you motoring needs contact: 091-79014

Episode 31 of The Survival Project is a reflections episode titled:

“Let Us Sit in the Fire Together.”

This episode explores the reality of living with chronic illness, Crohn’s disease, IBD, ostomy life, chronic pain, and mental resilience, through lessons taken from the last 10 conversations on the podcast.

From misdiagnosis and isolation to recovery, identity loss, breathwork, sleep, and rebuilding life after illness, this episode brings together powerful insights from real lived experiences.

If you are navigating:

• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• IBD or an ostomy
• Chronic illness or chronic pain
• Mental health struggles linked to health

This episode is a reminder that you are not alone.

The core message is simple:
We are all sitting in the fire, but we do not have to sit in it alone.

Featuring reflections from guests including Sam (Footprints Africa), Joe Forde, Tom Coleman, Tanika, Diego, Karen, Jack Brennan, and Oliver (Chronicare).

A massive thank you to Western Auto Parts Oranmore for supporting this episode and helping keep The Survival Project alive.

Contact: 091-790014

📌 Links & Resources:

Chronicare App: https://chronicare.io/

Footprints Africa: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-footprints2africa?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020

Contact: sam@footprints2africa.org.uk

In Episode 30 I sit down with Oliver for a powerful and honest conversation about chronic illness, identity, isolation, and purpose.

Oliver shares his journey of first developing psoriasis as a teenager before later being diagnosed with IBD during the chaos of 2020. He speaks openly about the long and frustrating road to diagnosis, the fear and trauma of hospitalisation, and the mental strain of trying to make sense of a body that suddenly feels unpredictable.

We also go deep into the ripple effect of chronic illness, not just on the person living with it, but on parents, partners, friends, and the people trying their best to understand what they cannot fully see.

A major part of this episode is Oliver’s work with Chronicare, a platform he created to help people living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and IBD feel less alone, track symptoms more clearly, and take more control in the time between hospital appointments. It is a brilliant example of turning pain into purpose.

This episode touches on:

• Psoriasis and IBD

• Crohn’s disease vs ulcerative colitis

• Delayed diagnosis and medical frustration

• Hospital trauma and mental health

• Communication with family and loved ones

• Living with flare-ups and uncertainty

• Building purpose through chronic illness

• Creating a better support system for people with IBD

This is a conversation about patience, perspective, and slowly learning how to build a life around something you never asked for.

If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might need it.

Search "Chronicare" in the app store or google play.