The Sunflower Conversations

Apr 13 2024 12
The Sunflower Conversations Podcast artwork

The Sunflower Conversations are where we explore hidden disabilities through the prism of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

In a world where it can be hard to feel like your story matters, we want to give you a space to share your experience. Whether you or someone you care about wears the Sunflower lanyard, we hope that by giving voice to these experiences, we can empower others and encourage more people to support people with invisible disabilities. 

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Parkinsons with Eve Jensch

Apr 13 2024 44 mins  
Eve Jensch is 37 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's two years ago. Eve lives in Ireland with her three children and her husband and joins us to talk about her lived experience with Parkinson's. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition, which means that it causes problems in the brain as the cells stop working correctly and, over time, stop producing dopami

Autism and ADHD with Clare and Matilda Kemp

Mar 30 2024 49 mins  
Clare and her daughter, Matilda, join us to discuss Matilda's school experiences. Matilda is nine years old and in year five at primary school; she is autistic and has ADHD.Friendships can be challenging because Matilda is autistic and doesn't always pick up on social cues. Having ADHD means she needs to be active. Matilda tells us about the adjustments her school has mad

Optic Nerve Glioma with Michelle Culbert and Karina Smith

Mar 16 2024 39 mins  
Our guests are Karina Smith and Michelle Culbert, from South Florida, who both have Optic Nerve Glioma, a rare eye condition affecting sight that typically affects young children. It is a slow-growing brain tumour in or around the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. As the tumour progresses, it presses on the optic nerve.Karina and Michelle believe they are the only t

Eating Disorders, Autism and ADHD with Adam Fare

Mar 02 2024 53 mins  
CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting to charities for support. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic.Undiagnosed autism and ADHD have played a part in Adam developing an eating disorder at secondary school. He

Learning Disabilities with Dorothy Watson and Marcus Tanner, The Sunnybank Trust

Feb 24 2024 32 mins  
Our guests are Marcus Tanner and Dorothy Watson, CEO of The Sunnybank Trust.“The Sunnybank Trust supports adults with a learning disability across North East Surrey to have confidence, opportunities and control over their own lives and to be able to live without prejudice and discrimination.”In our conversation, we tackle the myths and stigma attached to learning disabilities (

Eating Disorders with Zoe Summers, BEAT UK

Feb 10 2024 53 mins  
CONTENT WARNING. The topic is eating disorders, and throughout the podcast, our guest will talk about their lived experiences, as well as signposting to charities for support. Please visit your healthcare provider if you are concerned about any issues relating to this topic. Our guest, Zoe Summers, joins us to talk about eating disorders (ED), which remain a taboo subject and can b

Stroke with Jo Aurora, Different Strokes, and Hayette Wilkinson

Jan 27 2024 42 mins  
Jo joined us from the charity Different Strokes to answer Sunflower wearers' questions and to explain what a stroke is, the signs to look out for, and what action to take, as well as advice about the support available to patients.Hayette had a stroke at age 32 and has been on a long journey of rehabilitation and recovery; she talks us through the surgeries she had and the ever

Stroke and Hayette Wilkinson

Dec 16 2023 29 mins  
This podcast was recorded as an Instagram Live.Hayette is a mother, wife and stroke survivor. Aged 32 Hayette experienced a severe stroke called a subarachnoid haemorrhage, followed by an ischaemic stroke a few days later. A subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening type of stroke, caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain.Our conversation covers the journe

Autism and the Sunflower with William Vanderpuye

Dec 09 2023 17 mins  
William Vanderpuye is a social worker and is autistic. In this conversation, William shares what the Sunflower means to him and the confidence and support it has given him while in education at university and now in employment.William's employer, Sutton Council, is supportive and offers understanding and kindness so that he can succeed and excel in supporting families with lea

Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr Louise Newson

Dec 02 2023 53 mins  
Dr Louise Newson is a GP & Menopause Specialist and joined us to share her knowledge and expertise. Dr Newson and her team at Newson Health are at the forefront of advocating for women to get the appropriate treatment to support their hormone health. As well as investing in research and training to help healthcare practitioners make the best decisions for their patients.We cove