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The Silent Struggles

The Silent Struggles

Written by: Michelle Chan
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About this listen

In 2021, I gave birth to my first child at 27 weeks. I felt completely alone. No one understood, and social media made it worse. Everyone else seemed fine, and I felt like a failure. That isolation became mental illness. When I opened up online, I found others like me, parents who knew the fear, guilt, and pain. Now I’m creating that same space for others. The Silent Struggles Podcast shares the pain you don’t talk about and the doubts you hide. I’m Michelle, your host. We break the silence, one story at a time.Michelle Chan Social Sciences
Episodes
  • A Mother’s Battle with ASD, Pica & SPD - Keeley's Story
    May 5 2026

    Keeley’s journey with her son Isaac has been filled with challenges that most people can’t imagine. Isaac lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Pica Disorder, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Everyday life for them isn’t simple. It’s navigating constant sensory overload, unexpected behaviors, and the struggle to meet basic needs safely.
    Despite her love and dedication, Keeley often faces judgment, misunderstanding, and a lack of support from those who don’t see the invisible struggles her family endures. Simple tasks like mealtimes, dressing, or outings can become overwhelming battles, leaving her physically and emotionally drained.
    Keeley shares her story to shed light on the realities families like hers face, to show that these challenges are valid, and to create a space where parents of children with neurodiverse conditions feel seen and supported.
    Click to hear Keeley’s story.
    Her journey is a reminder that you are not alone. Many families face these struggles in silence, finding strength in sharing their truth and connecting with others who understand.
    Share your own story here:
    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduT5ncgPExhxdXYRxd-GraSB--TMSKhgijL5FwlW4F87xzaA/viewform
    Connect
    Instagram: @thesilentstrugglespodcast
    TikTok: @thesilentstruggles
    YouTube: @thesilentstrugglespodcast

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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • I Ended My Pregnancy Because of Hyperemesis Gravidarum | Kali’s Story
    Apr 7 2026

    Kali’s pregnancy became a fight she couldn't win, and she was forced to terminate.She suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness that goes far beyond nausea. It causes relentless vomiting, dehydration, malnutrition, and extreme physical and emotional exhaustion. For some, it’s life-threatening, leaving the body unable to sustain itself or the pregnancy.Despite her suffering, Kali struggled to find the support she desperately needed. Medical professionals, instead of helping, pushed her toward a decision she hadn’t wanted to make. The pressure, judgment, and lack of empathy made the condition even more dehumanising.Ultimately, Kali made the heart-wrenching choice to terminate her pregnancy. Her story reveals the raw, often invisible toll of Hyperemesis Gravidarum and the gaps in care for those who endure it.Click to hear Kali’s story.Her journey represents many who face conditions that are dismissed, misunderstood, or ignored. You are not alone. Others are walking the same path, finding strength in speaking their truth.Share your own story here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduT5ncgPExhxdXYRxd-GraSB--TMSKhgijL5FwlW4F87xzaA/viewformListen OnApple Podcasts, YouTube & SpotifyConnectInstagram: @thesilentstrugglespodcastTikTok: @thesilentstrugglesYouTube: @thesilentstrugglespodcast

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Truth Behind Over Ten Surgeries and a Lifetime of Recovery - Karen's Story
    Mar 19 2026

    Karen spent years searching for answers that never came fast enough. She lived with endometriosis while being told her pain was normal. She went through surgery after surgery until the numbers reached double figures. She discovered adenomyosis and PCOS only after her body had already sustained the damage. She had a total abdominal hysterectomy.She had parts of her reproductive system rebuilt. She was told she would need more operations for the rest of her life.This story does not stop there. There is a part of her journey that changes everything. You will want to hear it in her own words.


    Click to hear what she has carried in silence for years.Her story speaks for many who live with silent conditions that are hard to see but impossible to ignore. If you’re living this reality too, you are not alone. Others are walking the same path, finding hope in small moments and strength in shared stories.


    If you want to share your own story, you can do it here:⁠https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduT5ncgPExhxdXYRxd-GraSB--TMSKhgijL5FwlW4F87xzaA/viewform


    ⁠Listen On Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify


    Connect

    Instagram: @thesilentstrugglespodcast

    TikTok: @thesilentstruggles

    YouTube: @thesilentstrugglespodcast

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    46 mins
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