One third of people with MS keep their diagnosis classified. Of those, one in ten hide their MS from family members and romantic partners. We chat with Juan Garrido, a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ and MS communities about the parallels between homophobia and ableism and how ultimately being accepted for who you are starts with accepting and loving yourself.

Synopsis:

On this episode of 'Tripping on Air' hosts, Ardra Shephard & Alex Hajjar talk to Juan Garrido about his experiences as a member of both the queer and MS communities. They discuss the similarities between homophobia and ableism, the importance of community support, and the different ways individuals choose to disclose their MS diagnosis, highlighting the need for diverse representation and support for people with MS.

Episode Highlights:

• Sharing low-key medical trauma stories with friends (0:30 )        
• The Challenges of being “out” with MS and why people stay in the MS closet  (2:30 )
• How are ableism and homophobia similar? (6:09 )
• Is the concept of “Coming Out” antiquated or a signal of pride in one’s identity? (13:51 )
• Juan’s first-year post diagnosis. (16:46 )
• Juan’s advice on how to balance the need to fit in versus being accepted for who you are (28:42 )

About Juan Garrido:

Juan Luis Garrido is a digital strategist, a co-chair for the LGBT YouthLine, an advocate for the MS Society.

Reference:  

https://myrules.ca/en/ms-stories/juan-luis-garrido

Host Descriptions:

Ardra is a fair-skinned woman with faux blonde hair and all natural freckles, who uses mobility aids to ambulate.

Alex is a formerly-haired bespectacled dude with olive-skin and broad-shoulders.

Relevant links:

https://trippingonair.com/

https://trippingonair.com/2021/04/whats-the-big-deal-about-coming-out-with-ms.html

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/news/new-research-ms-week-shows-13-people-ms-kept-it-secret

https://www.bezzyms.com/discover/real-talk-ms/health-hiding-an-ms-diagnosis-is-way-too-common-something-has-to-change/

About Ardra Shephard & Tripping On Air

Tripping on Air is a monthly video podcast that brings Ardra Shephard's part-confessional, part-informational blog Tripping on Air to the podcast airwaves! Ardra and co-host Alex Hajjar discuss what it's like to live with MS, from the best products for those with chronic illness, to successfully navigating a disability benefits claim.

Ardra Shephard is a writer, consultant, and speaker, whose award-winning blog Tripping On Air, enjoys an international reach and reputation.

Ardra is the creator and host of AMI-tv's lifestyle series Fashion Dis. Ardra has a regular column with BezzyMS (Ask Ardra Anything), and is a reporter with LivedHealth where she leads informative and educational conversations with leading MS specialists.

Ardra is on a mission to change minds about what it means to live with chronic illness and to have disability positively reflected as part of a diverse society. Accessible bars in Toronto would also be nice.

Follow Ardra on Twitter: @tripping_onair and Instagram: @ms_trippingonair

About Alex Hajjar

Alex Hajjar is the host, producer, and creative overthinker behind Social Animals, a podcast about friendship.

A civil engineering technologist by trade, Alex is also a punk-rock bass guitarist whose hobbies include world travel, hanging with his cat Nacho, and figuring out how to find chill about his beautiful wife Nicole's MS diagnosis.

Get More "Tripping On Air"

The Tripping on Air podcast airs monthly on AMI-audio. For more information, visit www.ami.ca/Tripping-On-Air.

And be sure to visit Ardra's website & blog: https://trippingonair.com/