What happens when a healthcare professional doesn't recognize her own brain injury? This week, Kim welcomes Kelly Tuttle, a neurology nurse practitioner who became a traumatic brain injury survivor after a car accident—and whose brain injury was so hidden that even she didn't recognize the danger signs. After being cleared to return to work in two weeks, Kelly pushed through headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, and horrific whiplash until she fell asleep driving home and nearly hit a tree. In this eye-opening episode, Kelly reveals:🔴 Dangerous denial: Cleared to work in 2 weeks, fell asleep at the wheel, planned roadside naps as "solution" 🟢 Seven-year secret: Hid invisible disability from employer while napping at lunch, sleeping 2 hours after work daily🟣 Neuro fatigue reality: Brain takes "side streets" instead of highways—wake with 25% battery, no recharging Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast02:32 Kelly Tuttle's Journey and Insights07:24 Understanding TBI and the Importance of Care10:49 The Five Foundational Pillars of TBI Recovery15:49 Navigating Financial Wellness After TBI18:53 Mental Health Challenges and Personal Growth25:08 Understanding Neuro Fatigue27:30 Resources and ConclusionConnect with Kelly Tuttle:💻 Brain Loving Advocate 📚 "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" on AmazonTo support the show, visit our LinktreeThis episode is brought to you by:The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLCHost/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash Podcast Creative Director & Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for The Podcast Mechanic
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What happens when a healthcare professional doesn't recognize her own brain injury? This week, Kim welcomes Kelly Tuttle, a neurology nurse practitioner who became a traumatic brain injury survivor after a car accident—and whose brain injury was so hidden that even she didn't recognize the danger signs. After being cleared to return to work in two weeks, Kelly pushed through headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, and horrific whiplash until she fell asleep driving home and nearly hit a tree. In this eye-opening episode, Kelly reveals:🔴 Dangerous denial: Cleared to work in 2 weeks, fell asleep at the wheel, planned roadside naps as "solution" 🟢 Seven-year secret: Hid invisible disability from employer while napping at lunch, sleeping 2 hours after work daily🟣 Neuro fatigue reality: Brain takes "side streets" instead of highways—wake with 25% battery, no recharging Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast02:32 Kelly Tuttle's Journey and Insights07:24 Understanding TBI and the Importance of Care10:49 The Five Foundational Pillars of TBI Recovery15:49 Navigating Financial Wellness After TBI18:53 Mental Health Challenges and Personal Growth25:08 Understanding Neuro Fatigue27:30 Resources and ConclusionConnect with Kelly Tuttle:💻 Brain Loving Advocate 📚 "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" on AmazonTo support the show, visit our LinktreeThis episode is brought to you by:The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLCHost/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash Podcast Creative Director & Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for The Podcast Mechanic
‘My Son Is the Only Person Alive With This Condition’ | Melissa Winger
The Chronic Truth Podcast
28 minutes
4 months ago
‘My Son Is the Only Person Alive With This Condition’ | Melissa Winger
Kimberly Nash sits down with Melissa Winger, author, speaker, and relentless advocate for her son, who is the only known person with a rare chromosomal disorder (missing half of chromosome 4 + trisomy 6).Melissa Winger’s son has a chromosomal disorder so rare it has no name. After:🔴 42 misdiagnoses ("Rare means no one believes you").🟢 Losing her heartbeat at 21 from caregiver stress.🟣 Battling EMRs that "protect patients in theory only".She wrote the playbook, "Who Cares?", to help families:Script tough convos with doctors ("Are you comfortable with this?").Spot "compassion fatigue" in providers (and when to walk away).Survive the adult-care cliff ("Pediatric miracles become adult orphans").Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast02:32 Melissa Winger's Journey and Advocacy05:34 The Flaws in the Healthcare System10:51 Advocating for Patients: A Caregiver's Perspective16:15 Maintaining Sanity in Crisis19:24 Urgent Changes Needed in Healthcare22:51 Community Advocacy and EngagementFollow Melissa’s Journey:📖 Book: Who Cares? (WhoCaresBooks.com)🎧 New Audiobook: Just released on Audible📋 Advocacy Toolkit: Minnesota Disability Advocacy GroupsSubscribe to The Chronic Truth Podcast for more raw conversations about thriving beyond chronic illness.🔗 LinktreeThis episode is brought to you by:The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLCHost/Executive Producer: Kimberly NashCo-Producer / Editor: Jay Wilson - The Podcast Mechanic
The Chronic Truth Podcast
What happens when a healthcare professional doesn't recognize her own brain injury? This week, Kim welcomes Kelly Tuttle, a neurology nurse practitioner who became a traumatic brain injury survivor after a car accident—and whose brain injury was so hidden that even she didn't recognize the danger signs. After being cleared to return to work in two weeks, Kelly pushed through headaches, dizziness, memory lapses, and horrific whiplash until she fell asleep driving home and nearly hit a tree. In this eye-opening episode, Kelly reveals:🔴 Dangerous denial: Cleared to work in 2 weeks, fell asleep at the wheel, planned roadside naps as "solution" 🟢 Seven-year secret: Hid invisible disability from employer while napping at lunch, sleeping 2 hours after work daily🟣 Neuro fatigue reality: Brain takes "side streets" instead of highways—wake with 25% battery, no recharging Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chronic Truth Podcast02:32 Kelly Tuttle's Journey and Insights07:24 Understanding TBI and the Importance of Care10:49 The Five Foundational Pillars of TBI Recovery15:49 Navigating Financial Wellness After TBI18:53 Mental Health Challenges and Personal Growth25:08 Understanding Neuro Fatigue27:30 Resources and ConclusionConnect with Kelly Tuttle:💻 Brain Loving Advocate 📚 "After the Crash: How to Keep Your Job, Stay in School, and Live Life After a Brain Injury" on AmazonTo support the show, visit our LinktreeThis episode is brought to you by:The Chronic Truth Podcast, LLCHost/Executive Producer: Kimberly Nash Podcast Creative Director & Co-Producer: Jay Wilson, for The Podcast Mechanic
