The Invisible Condition Podcast
Ending the stigma of invisible disabilities, chronic illnesses, and non-apparent conditions, one story at a time.
At Invisible Condition, we elevate voices, educate workplaces, and encourage curiosity. This podcast is for individuals living with invisible conditions and the leaders responsible for creating disability-inclusive spaces.
It's up to us to break the barriers of fear and judgment. Hear from real people, living with non-apparent conditions, on how we can end the stigma and create inclusive workplaces.
Join host Tim Reitsma, who lives with Crohn’s Disease, arthritis, and anxiety, as he invites guests to share their stories publicly. Together, we’ll tackle the stigmas of shame, fear, and the notion of “being different” – when we are all normal.
Topics covered include:
- Strategies for effective self-advocacy and securing the accommodations you need.
- Insights into disability inclusion practices that make workplaces more equitable.
- Breaking down stigmas surrounding chronic illnesses, neurodiverse conditions, and non-apparent disabilities.
- Understanding and advocating for invisible disabilities in the workplace.
- Addressing mental illness and creating a culture of support.
Invisible Condition Defined: A non-apparent illness or condition, whether physical or mental, that isn’t visible from the outside. This includes autoimmune disorders, mental illness, neurodiverse conditions (like ADHD or Autism), chronic illnesses, cancers, trauma, and brain injuries.
By sharing openly and vulnerably, we empower each other to eliminate stigma and build understanding.
The Invisible Condition Podcast
From Pain to Purpose: Lyme Disease, Self-Advocacy, and Finding your Voice - Kenzie Vath
Summary:
Imagine struggling with your health for over a decade, visiting doctor after doctor, only to be dismissed as dramatic or told that it’s all in your head. That was Kenzie Vath’s reality before she finally received a diagnosis of Lyme disease at the age of 18—after suffering for 10 years. In today’s episode, Kenzie shares her powerful story of navigating chronic illness, enduring years of misdiagnosis, and how she found her voice through the struggle.
As an advocate for those living with Lyme disease, Kenzie has turned her pain into purpose. She talks about the importance of self-advocacy in the face of medical roadblocks and why trusting yourself—even when experts don’t—is key to survival. Through her journey, she learned that finding purpose, connecting with others, and sharing her story was essential not only to her healing but to supporting others.
We also dive into her book, The Ignored Pandemic: Real Stories of Lyme Disease, where she highlights the real-life struggles of people across the globe who are fighting the same battle. Through storytelling and vulnerability, Kenzie is on a mission to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding Lyme disease and other invisible conditions.
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, ignored, or alone in your health journey, this episode is a must-listen. Kenzie’s story is a powerful reminder that your voice matters and that resilience, compassion, and community are at the heart of healing. Tune in to hear how Kenzie turned her diagnosis into a force for change and how you can, too.
Takeaways:
- The Importance of Self-Advocacy
- Finding Purpose Through Suffering
- The Role of Community in Healing
- Resilience in the Face of Medical Challenges
- The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling
- Holistic Health and Lifestyle Choices
Contact Links:
- Website - Holistic Umbrella
- Book - The Ignored Pandemic
- Instagram - Holistic Umbrella
Kenzie Vath is the Vice President of Strategic Innovation at Pacific Hospitality Group, where she leads growth-driven strategies for the hospitality industry. She is also the President of Impact 100 OC, supporting collective philanthropy, and serves on the board of the Global Lyme Alliance, advocating for Lyme disease awareness. As the owner of Holistic Umbrella, she promotes holistic health, and she is the author of The Ignored Pandemic, highlighting the struggles of those affected by Lyme disease.
"You are the expert in yourself, and sometimes the hardest step in self-advocacy is trusting your instincts and pushing for the answers you kno
Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
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Tim Reitsma:
Being told you’re a dramatic teen… Have you ever been told this, maybe even as an adult, while you fight for answers?
I’m Tim, and thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Invisible Condition podcast, where we talk about advocacy and the unusually normal things that come with living with invisible conditions, diseases, and illnesses. Our goal is to end the stigma around invisible conditions by empowering voices, and today, that voice is Kenzie Vath.
Kenzie knows all too well what it’s like to be dismissed. After years of struggling with Lyme disease, she found her voice and turned her suffering into purpose—advocating for others and pushing for breakthroughs in treatment.
Maybe you’re feeling lost in your health journey, or maybe you know someone who is. Kenzie and I talk about why it’s so important to trust yourself, connect with others, and turn your pain into strength. Whether you’ve had to fight for your health or just need a reminder of your resilience, this episode is for you. Have a listen.
Tim Reitsma:
Kenzie, it's amazing to sit down with you. I know you're a busy person, but before we get into it, for those who are listening, maybe head to the website. There's gonna be a little picture of Kenzie's background. It is vibrant, it is pink, and it says happy birthday. So we're recording this a couple of days after your birthday, but I love it. It brings such energy to the conversation. Thanks for joining me today.
Kenzie Vath:
Thank you. Thank you for having me, Tim. Yes, my background is very extra. I love the color pink. As you can see, my hair is pink. And so they did a full glitter moment for me. So thank you for calling it out.
Tim Reitsma:
I love that, as a solopreneur, my birthday's not for months, but my kids decorate my space with a picture or something like that. Not vibrant like that. Maybe I have to put that little plug into them. It's like, hey, 10 year olds and seven year old, I need pink streamers in my background. I think it's good, make it special, I love it. Hey, before we get into it, why don't you tell us a little bit about who you are and...
Kenzie Vath:
Yes, yeah, make it special.
Tim Reitsma:
...you know, you and the condition you live with and you know, all of that. Let's just get into it.
Kenzie Vath:
Sure. Yeah, I'll do a very high level description of who I am since the podcast. We don't have enough time for that today. I'd have to be on too many. But high level, you know, in my current season of life, I'm a mom of three kids, five, three and two year old. And I work full time as well as I sit on the board of the Global Lime Alliance. So I'm a huge advocate for those that suffer with chronic illness and Lyme disease. And it's something that I was diagnosed with...
