56: Living With Visible Illness with Lashana Taylor

This Is Not What I Ordered: conversations on chronic illness, loss + change

Dealing with an invisible health challenge can be beyond frustrating. But what happens when a traditionally invisible illness becomes manifest? And how do we cope with the visual symptoms of our conditions? That’s what I’m talking to Lashana Taylor about on this episode of This is Not What I Ordered.

Diagnosed November 2018 with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, Lashana finally had an answer to her declining health. With the diagnosis came relief, but it also threw into light some of her own challenges: with how she saw herself and how she allowed others to show up for her.

During this interview, I talk to Lashana about how much she’s grown over the last year, how she’s treating her MS, and the milestones and lessons she’s gained along the way. We also get really honest about how health challenges of all shapes and sizes affect our inner and outer worlds, essentially by holding up a mirror to ourselves and others.

My favorite guidance from Lashana during our chat? Vulnerability isn’t weakness. Patience is required. And sometimes, you have to be challenged to bring out the best in yourself. I really enjoyed this heartfelt conversation with Lashana about relationships, medications and treatments, and growing as a person in ways you might never expect before a health challenge.