Latest news with #autoimmunedisease
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
'Stress is a silent killer': Sushmita Sen on why protecting your peace is 'true strength'
What does it take to live with a chronic condition? It's a question with no easy answers because the experience is rarely loud or visible. Often, years pass, yet the struggle remains deeply personal. The silent, daily effort of battling an autoimmune disease can be difficult to put into words, becoming deeply woven into the fabric of everyday life. The endless cycle of medication, the lingering side effects, the constant uncertainty of how your body might respond — few speak about it, and even fewer truly understand it. For Indian actor Sushmita Sen, that silence has long been filled with something she calls quiet strength — a quality she cultivated years ago when she was diagnosed with Addison's disease. Though she's spoken of her recovery in 2019, the imprint of chronic illness is rarely erased. 'You become accurately aware of your body and what it needs,' says Sen, seated in a quiet corner of The Atlantis just moments after taking the stage at the 4th edition of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award — a morning dedicated to honouring nurses who, as she puts it, 'cannot be taken for granted.' As someone who's been on the receiving end of care that often goes unnoticed, she doesn't hold back when crediting nurses for the role they've played in her recovery, especially following a heart attack that shocked the world over two years ago. 'Till I came across this initiative, Aster's Guardians Global Nursing Awards, I didn't even know that there was an award for nurses, let alone the fact that you're not just recognising their efforts, you're gifting them monetarily, $250,000, substantially letting them know how much they're appreciated.' Her voice softens as she recounts one nurse in particular: Uma Maheshwari. Assigned to Sen in the ICU following her angioplasty, Uma was meant to stay for just a week. But as Sen prepared to return to work on Aarya, she insisted on keeping Uma by her side. 'Uma just had to come and look after me for a week, until I left the ICU, moved into a regular room, and was discharged from the hospital. But because of the severity of the situation, and the fact that I was going to shoot for Aarya right after, they said, 'You can't go without a hands-on nurse.' So I said, 'I want Uma to come with me.'' Uma ended up staying with her for six months. And even now, years later, she messages Sen twice a day to remind her to take her medication. 'We just completed two years of angioplasty. She's no longer employed by me or the team or anyone. But every day, at 9 am and 9 pm, there will be a message from her to take my beta-blocker,' she adds. 'That kind of grace and goodness — money can't buy. It has to come from that kind of empathy. And nurses, I think, have that in abundance.' A truth she's come to know intimately, over years of navigating her own health and healing journey, Sen adds, 'You cannot heal without a nurse". "I often say this: a doctor can get you a cure or a treatment, but it is a nurse that takes you through the journey of healing. Doctors only look at your symptoms; the nurse knows your tendencies. I've seen this happen repeatedly.' It's hard not to pause when Sen speaks because her silences speak louder than words. Even though she's always been known as someone who speaks with great conviction, there's a new kind of quiet that follows her now — one that radiates immense strength. 'Quiet strength, I do deeply admire, because it's something that takes a lot of resilience. It takes a lot of acceptance,' she says. 'And as women — be that in the nursing community, in my or your community, the professional aspects of our lives or the personal ones — it's so much easier to scream, shout, yell, try and make a point, try and win every argument. But it's such a criminal waste of time," she adds. 'The minute women discover their quiet strength, they don't need validation anymore. They can build from there." For someone who has worn many hats — Miss Universe, actor, single mother, producer — Sen has long lived without the safety net of convention. But that kind of strength often comes at a personal cost, especially in an industry that demands youth, perfection, and constant reinvention to keep pace with its relentless rhythm. 'Be it my health journey or everything else that I've gone through in my life, I've realised: I can either waste my energy or I can conserve this energy and then use it as strength," says Sen. But strength isn't about endurance alone — it's also about knowing when to walk away, she adds. 'Stress is a very, very silent killer. And if you're not careful, conscious, aware of it, it has a way of consuming you faster than you can take your name.' 'I can't say I succeed 100 per cent all the time but I've come to recognise its triggers. So when I see stress around me or people who are stressing me out, I have a way now in which I don't tell them to leave, but instead, I walk away. Because you have to protect your peace and your environment," says Sen. Throwback moment This year also marks 31 years since Sen became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe crown — a moment of national pride that transformed not only her life but ignited the dreams of generations to come. A moment that told young girls they could dare to dream. So, what would Sen, at 49, say to the 18-year-old girl who walked into the pageant with nothing but the courage to dream? 'I'm so proud of you, kid. Thank you for laying the foundation and making my life — the one I'm living now — possible.' Perhaps, a sentiment that countless young Indian girls, who've woven Sen's victory into the fabric of their own stories, would also echo. So, what's next for Sen? On the work front, Sen's return to the screen has been met with immense admiration — particularly for her role in the acclaimed series Aarya, where she plays a fierce and resilient mother drawn into the world of crime to protect her family. But for her, work has always been about purpose, not pace. 'I'm so happy that people still want to see me,' she says, smiling. 'The audience is the reason I do what I do.' Her bond with the audience is something she calls her 'life's biggest blessing'. 'For as long as people want to watch me, I promise to keep coming back. We're getting into film production as well,' she reveals. 'So a lot of the stuff that you will see, we will probably be producing ourselves and also acting in it. Wait for it.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dog Suddenly Paralyzed After Living with Unknown Autoimmune Disease. Now He's Rediscovered Life on Wheels (Exclusive)
Dagmar Gudmundsson's dog, Tyrion, was left paralyzed after unknowingly living with an autoimmune disease The seven-year-old dog was fitted for a customized wheelchair, which he loves Gudmundsson shared her story on TikTok and started an online business, "Wag & Wheel," that donates to rescues and sanctuaries that care for disabled animalsNamed after the witty and resilient Game of Thrones character, Tyrion the Maltipoo has lived up to his name in more ways than one. With his boundless spirit, sweet face, and customized wheelchair, the seven-year-old dog is not just surviving — he's thriving. Tyrion's journey hasn't been easy, but his 28-year-old owner, Dagmar Gudmundsson, has been by his side since he was just eight weeks old. Tyrion had always been a healthy dog and never showed odd symptoms or warning signs. However, everything changed on March 2, 2024. That afternoon, Tyrion was playing fetch like usual before curling up next to his owner for a quick nap. When he woke up, something wasn't right. 'He woke up from the nap, I noticed he was like, kind of walking a little funny,' Gudmundsson tells PEOPLE exclusively. What followed was a rapid and terrifying progression. 'We went to the vet, and then we were there for a long time, but within like, three to four hours, he went from playing fetch to kind of walking wobbly, to absolutely no function, no movement in his back legs, nothing,' she recalls. 'Like it happened so fast.' Initially, the vet suspected intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which can occur when the disc between a dog's vertebrae bursts and puts pressure on the spinal cord. It's especially common in dogs with long bodies and short legs, and although not always debilitating, it can lead to paralysis. Tyrion underwent an MRI to identify the affected disc, but the results told a different story. Instead of a burst disc, the MRI revealed that Tyrion's spinal cord was severely inflamed. 'They tried to figure out what's going on, and they figured out that he has an autoimmune disease. It's called GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis),' she explains. 'It's a neurological thing, but, yeah, he has an autoimmune disease, and basically attacked his own spinal cord, and now he's paralyzed.' For Tyrion, the road to rehabilitation was slow. 'For the first six months or so of his paralysis, there was not a lot going on,' Gudmundsson says. With the help of acupuncture to stimulate his nerves and hydrotherapy sessions, where a therapist helped move Tyrion's legs in water, he began to make progress. About six or seven months in, Tyrion finally began trying to stand and take his first steps. Though he still can't feel pain in his legs due to the disconnection between his brain and spinal cord, Tyrion has started 'spinal walking.' While it's not a brain-directed movement, it's still walking, and it's nothing short of incredible. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Around a month after his paralysis, Tyrion was fitted for his wheelchair. 'And what's crazy about the wheelchairs… his physical therapist, who helped us set it up, she was like, 'Okay, just a warning, not all dogs like this. It's kind of 50/50, so don't get your hopes up,'' Gudmundsson recalls. Luckily, Tyrion took to it immediately. 'He's like, I'm free. I can run again – loved it immediately.' Though Tyrion doesn't wear his wheels all the time – often opting to drag himself indoors or in safe areas – he lights up whenever it's time for an outdoor adventure. 'You can just tell it's like for a normal dog, when you grab the leash and they get excited – when I grab his wheels, it's the same kind of reaction.' Caring for a paralyzed dog has not been without its challenges. In the beginning, the emotional weight was heavy. 'Honestly, I fell into a pretty deep depression,' Gudmundsson admits. 'But what really helped was I'd be like, on the couch crying, feeling bad for him, but also, honestly, kind of feeling bad for myself… And he would drag over to me and ... just give me this look like, 'What's up? Like, let's go for a walk. You want to play fetch?' ' It became clear that Tyrion wasn't grieving – rather, he was living. That realization only deepened with time. 'I had to just totally change my mindset,' his owner reveals. Gudmundsson began sharing their journey on TikTok, where they connected with others who had similar experiences. The support was validating. 'People were telling me I was doing a good job, which, in the beginning, I really didn't feel like I was.' Physically, the hardest part has been managing Tyrion's bladder. He needs help expressing it four times a day to prevent infection, something that requires a consistent, hands-on routine. 'Thankfully, I don't have a 9 to 5, because I don't know how that would work,' she says. 'It really has to be done on a schedule, regularly.' Still, despite the hurdles, the experience has transformed their bond. 'Sometimes I'm like, maybe we've gotten too close?' Gudmundsson jokes. 'But whatever, you know, he's like my best friend, it doesn't matter.' Reflecting on everything they've been through together, Tyrion's owner feels stronger and wiser. 'Life is harder for him than other dogs, but it doesn't mean you can't also have the joy and the fun and whatnot,' Gudmundsson tells PEOPLE. 'So I think my brain and the way I think about things has really evolved and grown, which has been incredibly rewarding, and I think made me a better person at the end of the day.' Her business, "Wag & Wheel," is launching soon with a website offering apparel and accessories for owners of disabled dogs, including colorful hats. After struggling to find meaningful products, she designed her own to celebrate the pride of having a disabled dog. A portion of the profits will go to rescues and sanctuaries that care for disabled animals. Read the original article on People
Independent Singapore
09-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'I'm just a burden,' 35 year-old Singaporean mum feels defeated after months of job rejections following redundancy
SINGAPORE: A 35-year-old Singaporean mum of two felt completely defeated after being made redundant in September 2023 and failing to secure another role, despite making it to the final rounds of multiple job interviews. In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, the woman, who previously worked in tech sales, shared that she has 'applied to countless roles' and gone through 'second, third, or even final interviews'—only' to be rejected at the last stage each time. Adding to her emotional strain, her husband, who is also in tech, was recently made redundant too, although he was immediately 'rehired internally in another department.' She also mentioned that while they are currently financially stable, her husband is likely to require a kidney transplant due to an autoimmune condition, which may result in her becoming the family's sole breadwinner. 'I'm happy to be just that (a breadwinner),' she wrote, 'Only that I need a job for that to happen.' The woman added the prolonged job search has taken a toll on her mental health, explaining, 'Honestly, my mind has been to some dark places, and I have started to realise that I am worth more dead than alive (thanks to my insurance policies),' she said. 'I can't do this anymore. I know my kids will never forgive me, but I'm just a burden at this point, and even my organs will benefit someone else and their families. The only people I'll disappoint are my husband and kids. My parents died when I was young.' She concluded her post with a call for solidarity and connection: 'If you're in Singapore and struggling to gain employment, I'd love to hear from you. How long have you been jobless and how close are you to losing it?' 'You are worth more than your insurance policy money.' In the comments section, many users offered words of encouragement and advice in an effort to lift the woman's spirits. One user wrote, 'I can't imagine how awful you feel right now, but if you see the comments here, we are all cheering for you!! I just want to share a perspective with you. My dad was jobless for more than two years after the 2008 financial crisis. 'And you know what? Never once did I think my dad was a burden. NOT ONCE. So please. Don't give up! Keep trying. Try for your kids, because your kids are also cheering you on.' Another commented, 'You are worth more than your insurance policy money. No amount of money can substitute a mother's warm embrace or a father's word of encouragement. I know it seems so dire and bleak now, but the clouds WILL clear.' A few users also stressed the importance of looking after her mental health and encouraged her to seek professional help. One user said, 'Hi there, Internet stranger. I just want you to know that you are not a burden. You matter deeply, especially to your children and husband, and your worth is more than a dollar value. Please speak to someone because you don't have to carry this alone. Things can change but only if you're still around to try.' Another added, 'Ask for help. There are more mental health services around your neighborhood. Consult and see how you can move forward.' Others, in turn, shared practical advice to support the woman in her job search. Some recommended tailoring her resume to emphasize specific skills for each job application, while others suggested focusing on upskilling through relevant online courses or certifications to remain competitive in the job market. One user advised, 'Sign up for short online courses or use your SkillsFuture credits to sign up for face-to-face courses. Learning can help to boost up your confidence and might provide you with an extra edge in your next interview. If you attend face-to-face courses, make use of the opportunity to network and make new contacts.' Where to seek help If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, several suicide hotlines are available to offer immediate support. These calls are free, and you'll be connected with trained professionals or volunteers who can help you navigate through the crisis. In Singapore, you can reach out to the following resources: Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1800 221 4444, the Mental Health Helpline at 6389 2222, and the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) Helpline at 1800 283 7019, or if you have a case manager at IMH, you can contact them directly through the IMH operator at 6389 2000. Remember, you are never alone, and help is just a phone call away. Read also: 'She's only going to accept something that pays more than S$10k,' Singaporean shocked by fresh grad friend's salary expectations Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
