As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many people are looking forward to spending time with loved ones, often around a table full of food. But for people living with conditions that limit what they can eat, this time of year can bring mixed emotions.
For those working in healthcare, understanding these challenges and keeping them at the forefront of any activity can deliver some fantastic outcomes.
One person living with eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) shared with us:
“The holiday season sort of revolves around food. If I know I’m going to be at a restaurant where I can’t eat anything, or I’ll feel nervous eating there, I’ll grab something I can eat beforehand and then just have a drink while everyone else eats. That way, I still feel part of things and that helps me.”
It’s a powerful reminder that inclusion isn’t just about a seat at the table but about creating spaces where everyone feels comfortable and understood – an understanding of which can be as important as managing the physical symptoms.
And, with EoE being defined as a chronic condition in some areas only over the last few decades, there is still low awareness of it amongst medical practitioners worldwide. Since creating the experience, we have delivered experiences to raise awareness and understanding amongst participants.
Simulating the sensations of swallowing can be difficult to provide safely, but is essential to help build empathy and drive better understanding of the challenges. Read about how and why we felt it so important to do so.
“Every time someone casually mentions to me about any conditions I pause and think that person probably undergoes tough situations I know nothing about.”
This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for all the people who share their lived experiences with us and help deepen our understanding of what life with a health condition can really mean. It reminds us that we are looking at more than quantifiable data points, but provides powerful emotional (yet practical and meaningful) insights that guide us in all that we do.
Wishing everyone a warm and thoughtful Thanksgiving season and a moment to appreciate not just what’s on our plates, but who’s around the table.
