Staying Connected – Staying Connected

May 04 2024 5
Staying Connected – Staying Connected Podcast artwork

I started Staying Connected as a way to connect with other people diagnosed with or impacted by Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or VEDS. I myself was diagnosed with VEDS in 2017, and meeting others with VEDS has changed how I handle my own diagnosis. In this podcast I connect with other people whose lives have been impacted by VEDS and related vascular and aortic connective tissue conditions, like Marfan and Loeys-Dietz, getting a chance to hear and share their stories!

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Reconnecting with my brother, Jacob Frederick

May 04 2024 64 mins  
My brother, Jacob Frederick, rejoins the show. Our last interview was only a couple weeks before my recent renal artery dissection/kidney infarction and iliac dissection. In this episode, we talk about both of our experiences with those medical events in November and the aftermath.

Sheila Felske

Apr 27 2024 35 mins  
Today we’re going to hear from Sheila Felske, who is joining us to share her experience with Vascular Ehlers-Danos Syndrome (VEDS), which she was diagnosed with last year. Sheila had her first carotid artery dissection soon after her first daughter was born, and then had an achilles tendon rupture after her second daughter was born. … Read More Read More

Deb Kruk

Apr 20 2024 30 mins  
Deb Kruk was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS) in her mid-60s, following the loss of her 40 year old son, Brian, to an aortic dissection. They did not know Brian had VEDS when he died. In this episode, she shares that experience, processing her own diagnosis, things she loved about Brian, and more. Find … Read More Read More

Betsy Matarrita

Apr 13 2024 56 mins  
Betsy Matarrita was born and raised in Costa Rica, and was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome when she was a young child. Growing up, she didn’t know anyone else with Marfan syndrome, and they had to come to the US to get medical care for scoliosis as a child, when her and her family did not … Read More Read More

Roe Nania

Apr 06 2024 28 mins  
Roe Nania shares her family’s story with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (VEDS). Roe’s brother, Angelo, was the first person diagnosed in the family, and died from an aortic dissection in 2019. After his death, more members of the family got tested and diagnosed, and it’s assumed that her father also died from VEDS. Find more information, … Read More Read More

Kevin Kroeker

Mar 30 2024 32 mins  
Kevin Kroeker shares his story with Loeys-Dietz syndrome, which he was diagnosed with in his 50s after a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). His Loeys-Dietz diagnosis explained a prior event with his carotid artery, and uncovered a larger family history of Loeys-Dietz. Find more information, including support groups and webinars, about VEDS, Marfan, and Loeys-Dietz, …

Catching up with Tyler Farley

Mar 23 2024 45 mins  
Tyler Farley was originally on Staying Connected in 2022 to share his story with VEDS or Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. He returns in this episode to share his recent experience with a bowel perforation in the fall of 2023, and how he is moving forward, as well as his experience meeting other people in person with … Read More Read More

Liam Nelson

Dec 30 2023 47 mins  
Liam Nelson was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome when he was 11 years old. In this interview, we talk about how he handled his diagnosis, his career in film and comedy, his involvement in the Marfan community, and more. Find more information, including support groups and webinars, about VEDS, Marfan, and Loeys-Dietz, at thevedsmovement.org, loeysdietz.org, and … Read More Read More

Lauren Atherton

Dec 23 2023 45 mins  
Lauren Atherton was diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz syndrome after an aortic dissection when she was 28 years old. In this interview, we talk about that dissection, how she’s dealt with her diagnosis, and more. Find more information, including support groups and webinars, about VEDS, Marfan, and Loeys-Dietz, at thevedsmovement.org, loeysdietz.org, and marfan.org. If you would like …

Michelle Lucena

Dec 16 2023 43 mins  
Michelle Lucena was diagnosed with VEDS, or Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, after two carotid artery dissections. In this interview, we talk about how these dissections affected her military career, how she’s handled her diagnosis, and how she’s held onto her passion of physical fitness. Find more information, including support groups and webinars, about VEDS, Marfan, and …