Welcome to the very first episode of The Sick Gaze podcast! On this compelling journey, we embark on a mission to shatter the silence surrounding invisible illnesses, amplify patient stories of enduring chronic pain, and dismantle the barriers within healthcare that disproportionately affect them. Today's guest is the amazing Alyssa Nickles, an artist from Charleston, SC living with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Disease,  and craniocervical instability. In this thought-provoking episode, join us in a candid conversation with Alyssa, who shares her personal journey living with a chronic illness. Together, we delve into the complexities of how society perceives and understands illness when it remains hidden from plain view and attempt to conceptualize disability from a different perspective. Alyssa skillfully guides the discussion through the nuances of living with an invisible illness, exploring the impact on mental health, relationships, and identity. She recounts instances where her symptoms were downplayed or overlooked by medical professionals, sparking a crucial conversation about the need for increased awareness and empathy within the healthcare system. Tune in to this enlightening episode of The Sick Gaze to gain a deeper understanding of the invisible battles faced by many and to join the conversation on reshaping societal perceptions of chronic illness.Take care of your spoons! If you are interested in participating in an interview for the podcast, please go to this link: https://cofc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bIcsY15E98neUC2