Devri Velazquez's guest appearances

Devri Velazquez

Made Visible

Uninvisible Pod with Lauren Freedman

Lara Bloom

Phoebe Lapine

Rachel Trobman

NITIKA CHOPRA

Sarah Ramey

Lara Parker

Joe DiNardo

Thomas Smith

John Boyle

Aliza Licht

Carly Stein

Mickey Trescott

Mercedes Yvette

Nikki Boyer

Jen Pastiloff

OwlTail

Join Devri Velazquez and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 15th at 11:00am EST! Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in.   When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagnosed. We also talk about why, today, managing her physical stress and setting boundaries is so important, and how owning her identity is so central to the advocacy work she does.    This episode previously aired on July 28th, 2020.  For more information about Devri and her journey with Takayasu’s Arteritis, visit our website at madevisiblestories.com/podcast   This podcast aims to change the conversation around invisible illnesses and we need your help! Help support our mission by leaving a review and sharing this episode!  Please note: This podcast is intended to provide information and education and is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, prevention, cure, or guarantee. You should consult with a licensed or registered healthcare professional about your individual condition and circumstance.    Join the conversation and connect with us online! Website: madvisiblestories.com Facebook: madevisiblepodcast Instagram: @madevisiblestories LinkedIn: madevisible   Lily CBD’s hemp-based CBD oil offers an alternative way to nurture yourself, and can be especially beneficial for relieving anxiety and inflammation. Because Lily CBD focuses on small, single-farm harvests, more nutrients are able to make their way into each bottle. Think of it like a glass of beautiful natural wine from a small family vineyard. Visit lilycbd.com and use code madevisible at checkout for 15% off.    – Podcast Editor &amp; Strategist: @episodeready

Join Devri Velazquez and host, Harper Spero, for a special IG Live event on February 15th at 11:00am EST! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madevisiblestories" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Follow @madevisiblestories on Instagram to tune in.</a> When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagnosed. We also talk about why, today, managing her physical stress and setting boundaries is so important, and how owning her identity is so central to the advocacy work she does.  This episode previously aired on July 28th, 2020.  For more information about Devri and her journey with Takayasu’s Arteritis, visit our website at <a href="https://www.madevisiblestories.com/podcast/devrivelazquez-f5gxg" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">madevisiblestories.com/podcast</a> This podcast aims to change the conversation around invisible illnesses and we need your help! Help support our mission by leaving a review and sharing this episode!  Please note: This podcast is intended to provide information and education and is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, prevention, cure, or guarantee. You should consult with a licensed or registered healthcare professional about your individual condition and circumstance.  Join the conversation and connect with us online! Website: <a href="https://www.madevisiblestories.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">madvisiblestories.com</a> Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/madevisiblepodcast" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">madevisiblepodcast</a> Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madevisiblestories/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@madevisiblestories</a> LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/madevisible" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">madevisible</a> <a href="http://lilycbd.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lily CBD’s</a> hemp-based CBD oil offers an alternative way to nurture yourself, and can be especially beneficial for relieving anxiety and inflammation. Because Lily CBD focuses on small, single-farm harvests, more nutrients are able to make their way into each bottle. Think of it like a glass of beautiful natural wine from a small family vineyard. Visit <a href="http://lilycbd.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">lilycbd.com</a> and use code madevisible at checkout for 15% off.  – Podcast Editor &amp; Strategist: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/episodeready/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@episodeready</a>

105. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity

When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagnosed. We also talk about why, today, managing her physical stress and setting boundaries is so important, and how owning her identity is so central to the advocacy work she does.  Learn more about Devri and check out the show notes  here. Follow Made Visible on Instagram. We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible here.  Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they’ll work with you to find a counselor you love. It’s not self help, it’s better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting https://betterhelp.com/madevisible

When Devri Velazquez was diagnosed with Takayasu's arteritis at 20 years old, the prognosis was devastating. Doctors didn’t think she would live to age 21. On today’s episode, we talk about what Devri’s life looks like now, ten years after her diagnosis, and what it was like to hear such a scary prognosis when she was first diagnosed. We also talk about why, today, managing her physical stress and setting boundaries is so important, and how owning her identity is so central to the advocacy work she does.  Learn more about Devri and check out the show notes <a href="http://www.harperspero.com/podcast-notes/devrivelazquez" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> here</a>. Follow Made Visible on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/madevisiblepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. We want to learn more about you! Tell us about you and what got you listening to Made Visible <a href="http://bit.ly/madevisiblepodcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.  Support for this episode comes from Betterhelp. Betterhelp is an online counseling service that matches you with a licensed professional therapist. No matter where you are in the world, Betterhelp lets you schedule video and phone sessions with your therapist, or even text them. Plus, they’ll work with you to find a counselor you love. It’s not self help, it’s better help. Take 10% off your first month of Betterhelp by visiting <a href="https://betterhelp.com/madevisible" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://betterhelp.com/madevisible</a>

87. Devri Velazquez, Living with Takayasu's Arteritis and Embracing Advocacy Through Owning Her Identity

Devri Velazquez – or, as she has aptly proclaimed herself, “pretty, sick. chick” – is a content creator, writer, editor, speaker, model, and advocate for chronic illness. She lives with a very rare form of vasculitis called Takayasu’s Arteritis. Diagnosed in 2011, she was told by doctors that she might not live to see 30 – and she turned 30 last month! Not only has she defied the odds with her physical health, but her mental health has played a big role in her ongoing wellness and healing. Since diagnosis, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for awareness of this rare disease, connecting with individuals all over the world living with similar conditions. She sat down with Lauren to talk about what motivates her, how she approaches her mindset, and why hard boundaries in her relationships have kept her in good stead. We also touch on gender, ethnicity, and sexual identity as they apply to her medical experience. Tune in as Devri shares… - that she was diagnosed during in her last semester of her undergrad degree - that her early symptoms included brief vision loss, rapid weight loss, jaundice, limp joints, hair loss, and heart palpitations - that it was confusing to connect the dots of her symptoms – and that at the time she felt like an outsider looking in on her body, disconnected from it entirely - the revelation that caused her to look into her health more deeply: her mom, a nurse, urged her to go to the hospital - that it was lucky her parents knew people at the local hospital – because those connections got her a diagnosis within days of checking things out - that she saw how hard people rallied around her to find an answer - that she was so sick at diagnosis, she worried she’d die in her sleep - that she was on bed rest for a full year after diagnosis – which is the antithesis of her personality - that her partner helped take care of her that first year after diagnosis, which really humbled her - the importance of asking for help – it’s OK, and it’s necessary - that as intense as her physical symptoms were, the mental battles that she faced were harder - some background about Takayasu’s Arteritis - that the biggest registry for Takayasu’s is in Japan, and consists of about 1,300 patients - that 1 in 2-3 million people may be at risk for Takayasu’s – so, in essence, she is the only person in Brooklyn living with it - that she had to get her mind around the idea of death, and come to terms with it - that she has created discipline around her diet, rest, and relationships - that when she was diagnosed in her early 20s, medical professionals told her family that the low life expectancy with Takayasu’s meant she had a 40% chance to live 10 more years – and she just turned 30 - that she lives in a constant 8 or 9 on the pain scale, but has learned to accept that level as her 2 or 3 - that she’s learned grace from her experience with chronic pain - that her pain is focused mainly in her joints, and she occasionally uses a cane as a mobility aid - that as a freelancer, she is unable to consistently maintain health insurance - that she takes great inspiration from the world around her - that she feels more pain when she stands still – which is both a reality and a metaphor for her life - the role of mindset in her health - that she would like everyone to have access to healthcare - that artists and creatives aren’t taken as seriously as others in the healthcare space, and they need to be - the need for greater compassion in politics and in healthcare - the burden of her healthcare costs, which make her feel like her chronic illness is a punishment - her experiences of judgment, harassment, and abuse in the healthcare system as a queer WOC with chronic illness - how the #MeToo movement has taught her to raise her voice in uncomfortable medical situations - that she shares her story to remind others they are not alone - that she experienced her first bout of depression at 13, and has had support from her family since the beginning - that she utilizes therapy for her mental health, and that she started her own meditation practice at the age of 12 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uninvisiblepod.substack.com/subscribe

<a href="https://devrivelazquez.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Devri Velazquez</a> – or, as she has aptly proclaimed herself, “pretty, sick. chick” – is a content creator, writer, editor, speaker, model, and advocate for chronic illness. She lives with a very rare form of vasculitis called Takayasu’s Arteritis. Diagnosed in 2011, she was told by doctors that she might not live to see 30 – and she turned 30 last month! Not only has she defied the odds with her physical health, but her mental health has played a big role in her ongoing wellness and healing. Since diagnosis, she has worked tirelessly to advocate for awareness of this rare disease, connecting with individuals all over the world living with similar conditions. She sat down with Lauren to talk about what motivates her, how she approaches her mindset, and why hard boundaries in her relationships have kept her in good stead. We also touch on gender, ethnicity, and sexual identity as they apply to her medical experience. Tune in as Devri shares… - that she was diagnosed during in her last semester of her undergrad degree - that her early symptoms included brief vision loss, rapid weight loss, jaundice, limp joints, hair loss, and heart palpitations - that it was confusing to connect the dots of her symptoms – and that at the time she felt like an outsider looking in on her body, disconnected from it entirely - the revelation that caused her to look into her health more deeply: her mom, a nurse, urged her to go to the hospital - that it was lucky her parents knew people at the local hospital – because those connections got her a diagnosis within days of checking things out - that she saw how hard people rallied around her to find an answer - that she was so sick at diagnosis, she worried she’d die in her sleep - that she was on bed rest for a full year after diagnosis – which is the antithesis of her personality - that her partner helped take care of her that first year after diagnosis, which really humbled her - the importance of asking for help – it’s OK, and it’s necessary - that as intense as her physical symptoms were, the mental battles that she faced were harder - some background about Takayasu’s Arteritis - that the biggest registry for Takayasu’s is in Japan, and consists of about 1,300 patients - that 1 in 2-3 million people may be at risk for Takayasu’s – so, in essence, she is the only person in Brooklyn living with it - that she had to get her mind around the idea of death, and come to terms with it - that she has created discipline around her diet, rest, and relationships - that when she was diagnosed in her early 20s, medical professionals told her family that the low life expectancy with Takayasu’s meant she had a 40% chance to live 10 more years – and she just turned 30 - that she lives in a constant 8 or 9 on the pain scale, but has learned to accept that level as her 2 or 3 - that she’s learned grace from her experience with chronic pain - that her pain is focused mainly in her joints, and she occasionally uses a cane as a mobility aid - that as a freelancer, she is unable to consistently maintain health insurance - that she takes great inspiration from the world around her - that she feels more pain when she stands still – which is both a reality and a metaphor for her life - the role of mindset in her health - that she would like everyone to have access to healthcare - that artists and creatives aren’t taken as seriously as others in the healthcare space, and they need to be - the need for greater compassion in politics and in healthcare - the burden of her healthcare costs, which make her feel like her chronic illness is a punishment - her experiences of judgment, harassment, and abuse in the healthcare system as a queer WOC with chronic illness - how the #MeToo movement has taught her to raise her voice in uncomfortable medical situations - that she shares her story to remind others they are not alone - that she experienced her first bout of depression at 13, and has had support from her family since the beginning - that she utilizes therapy for her mental health, and that she started her own meditation practice at the age of 12 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://uninvisiblepod.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=CTA_2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">uninvisiblepod.substack.com/subscribe</a>