In this powerful episode, I sit down with Vanessa Abraham, a speech pathologist who shares her harrowing journey of sudden illness, paralysis, and recovery. Vanessa's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of addressing the mental health aspects of critical illness.

Vanessa takes us through her experience of waking up one day feeling unwell, only to find herself in the ICU within a week, intubated and rapidly declining. She shares the challenges she faced as a speech pathologist suddenly unable to communicate, and how this experience transformed her approach to her work and life.

Key Insights:

• The impact of sudden, life-threatening illness on identity and mental health
• The importance of addressing post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) for patients and families
• How personal trauma can inform and improve professional practice in healthcare
• The power of community and support groups in the healing process
• The ongoing journey of recovery and personal growth after critical illness

Vanessa's story offers hope and inspiration for anyone facing health challenges or supporting loved ones through difficult times. Her journey from patient to advocate demonstrates the profound shifts possible when we embrace resilience and share our experiences to help others.

Whether you're navigating a health crisis, working in healthcare, or simply looking to understand the long-term impacts of critical illness, this conversation provides valuable insights into the human experience of trauma, recovery, and transformation.

About Vanessa Abraham:

Vanessa Abraham is a speech pathologist and author of "Speechless," a memoir detailing her experience with a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. After her own battle with critical illness, Vanessa now advocates for greater awareness of post-intensive care syndrome and the importance of mental health support for ICU survivors.

Connect with Vanessa Abraham:
Book: Speechless on Amazon - https://a.co/d/15wzWYU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechless_slp
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speechlessslp

00:00:00
Introduction to the Life Shift Podcast

00:02:17 Vanessa's Near-Death Experience

00:05:00 The Journey of Recovery

00:31:00 Living with PICS and Finding Support

00:46:17 Reflections and Moving Forward

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