In our 7th episode, NMO and your Relationships, Lelainia sits down with Cat Anderson, a Partner and Spiritual Director at REACH Trauma Response consulting. Cat has trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and as an End-of-Life Doula, working with people of all faiths or no faith, through loss, grief and bereavement using trauma informed, trauma sensitive, and culturally safe approaches. In this episode, Cat helps us understand how honesty and connection can enhance our relationships, how we can build and strengthen our self-esteem as people living with chronic illness and disability and reminds us of the importance of having compassion for ourselves. She explains what kind of impact a diagnosis of a rare disease such as NMO can have on a relationship. And Cat discusses the stigma of being chronically ill or disabled and how it can affect self-esteem, and what can we do to counteract those negative messages. She also provides tips on approaches and considerations about the disclosure of information about our health conditions when entering into new relationships. Cat describes some of the positive attributes and gifts that we bring to our relationships as we navigate living with a rare disease. She explains how to make space in our lives and relationships to just be a partner rather than a patient. Cat explains how being a caregiver for someone with NMO can be really challenging, how caregivers can look after their own health and well-being to avoid burnout. And she also shares with us additional resources that she recommends. Our Guests: Cat Anderson, REACH Partner and Spiritual Director. Cat is highly experienced in inclusive, non-judgmental Spiritual Care, accompanying those looking for meaning in life, processing difficult experiences, and accepting what cannot be changed. She is trained in Critical Incident Stress Management and as an End-of-Life Doula, working with people of all faiths/no faith, through loss, grief, and bereavement. Cat has spent most of her life facilitating individuals and community groups in connecting relationally to love and purpose by using trauma informed, trauma sensitive and culturally safe approaches. Informed by the practise of mindfulness, her accompaniment is always aimed at creating spaces where people can feel safe and nurtured as they transition towards leading healthier, more awake, and empowered lives. She employs a contemplative, and non-pathologizing approach to relational interconnection, which supports the human experience and encourages expansive living within all domains of life; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Recommended resources available: NMO/MOG Support Groups & Pages https://www.sumairafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/NMOSD-MOG-AD-Groups-and-PagesPresentation1-1.pdf Canadian MS Society peer support https://mssociety.ca/support-services/ms-peer-support-program SRNA online Peer Support https://wearesrna.org/online-support-meetings/ Rare Disease Foundation: Mental Health & Wellness Program https://rarediseasefoundation.org/pages/mental-health-wellness-program REACH Trauma Response Consulting services www.reachtrauma.com Please visit www.NMOSD.ca for more information on what NMOSD is, how it affects the body, tips for daily life and how to discuss it with your doctor. The podcast is intended exclusively for the residents of Canada and is subject to all applicable laws and regulations therein. The podcast is intended for informational, personal and non-commercial purposes only. Persons having any specific questions, regarding diagnosis or treatment, are advised to contact their healthcare provider. This podcast was made possible with support from Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. For further information about your medical condition, please talk to your healthcare professional. All rights reserved. Alexion Pharma Canada Corp.