Episode 60 ~ Story of Invisible Grief: How Patti Sauer Rebuilt Her Life After a CRPS Diagnosis скачать в хорошем качестве

Episode 60 ~ Story of Invisible Grief: How Patti Sauer Rebuilt Her Life After a CRPS Diagnosis

What happens when the life you built… disappears overnight? In this deeply honest and moving conversation, host Teresa Reiniger sits down with author Patti Sauer to talk about the kind of grief we don’t often name—the loss of identity that comes with chronic illness. After nearly two decades as a middle school teacher, Patti was forced to step away from the career she loved due to Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—a rare and debilitating neurological condition known as one of the most painful diseases in the world. What followed was not just physical suffering, but a profound identity crisis. Who are you when the titles fall away? Through therapy, journaling, and unexpected encouragement, Patti rediscovered a long-buried part of herself: the writer. Her poetry collection, Brave Bird, was born from grief—but grew into something much bigger. This episode is for anyone navigating chronic illness, career loss, depression, identity shifts, or the quiet grief of becoming someone new. ✨ You are more than your diagnosis. ✨ You are more than your titles. ✨ And there is hope on the other side. ⏱ Timestamps 00:10 – Teresa introduces Patti and the invisible grief of identity loss 04:12 – Patti shares her CRPS diagnosis and how it affected her mind and body 06:30 – The breaking point: when her body could no longer sustain teaching 08:13 – “I felt like I failed.” Leaving mid-year and identity collapse 10:50 – Therapy reframes it: “You’re grieving your life.” 14:11 – What is CRPS? Understanding the condition 18:14 – Journaling as healing and rediscovering her writing roots 20:49 – Facing the fear of “failing again” by submitting her work 21:43 – The birth of Brave Bird 26:22 – When her writing became bigger than CRPS 27:36 – Who are you without your titles? 29:11 – Redefining identity through character, not roles 33:38 – “There is another side. Grief does slowly heal.” 💬 Memorable Quotes “I felt like I failed at a job. I failed at a career that I loved.” — Patti Sauer “The worst that’s going to happen is someone is going to tell you no. And no is an okay thing.” — Patti Sauer’s counselor “I didn’t have this career, and I did not know where I was going from there. I had no other piece of me.” — Patti Sauer “Who I really am inside is not the teacher, not the wife, not the mom… it’s the integrity, the empathy, the caring.” — Patti Sauer “Healing doesn’t mean becoming who you were. It means rediscovering who you are now.” — Teresa Reiniger “Grief does slowly heal. It never goes away… but hope is on the other side.” — Patti Sauer 🧠 Topics Discussed ● What Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) really is ● The grief of losing a career due to chronic illness ● Identity collapse after diagnosis ● Midlife identity shifts and empty nesting ● Dissociation and emotional shutdown ● Depression vs. grief: understanding the difference ● The power of therapy and professional support ● Journaling as emotional processing ● Fear of failing again after loss ● Rebuilding identity beyond titles 🌿 Key Takeaways ● You can grieve the loss of your life—even if you’re still living it. ● Chronic illness impacts more than the body; it reshapes identity. ● Depression and grief can feel similar—but naming grief matters. ● Your worth is rooted in character, not career. ● Asking for help is strength, not weakness. ● There is hope beyond identity loss—even if it comes slowly. 📚 About Patti Sauer Patti Sauer is a retired Air Force wife, mother of two adult sons, former middle school teacher of 18 years, and author of Brave Bird. Living with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Patti writes to bring visibility, hope, and validation to those navigating chronic illness and mental health challenges. 📖 Get Patti’s Book Brave Bird by Patricia Sauer Available: ● Bookshop.org (choose a local bookstore to support) ● Belleville Books in Belleville, Illinois 🙌 Shoutouts & Mentions ● RSDSA (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association) – vital resources for CRPS patients and caregivers ● Belleville Books – local independent bookstore in Illinois ● Patti’s writing community & publishing team 💛 If This Episode Resonated If you’re navigating chronic illness, mental health struggles, or identity shifts: ● You are not alone. ● Your grief is valid. ● Professional support can change everything. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Leave a review to help more women find these conversations. And remember: you are more than your titles. 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GUEST 📘 Facebook:   / patricia.v.sauer   📸 Instagram:   / pattis.2012   📧 Email: pattisauer@gmail.com 💖 JOIN THE CONVERSATION 📩 Email: femalevoiceslifelosspodcast@gmail.com 📘 Facebook: Female Voices: Life & Loss Podcast 📸 Instagram: @femalevoiceslifelosspodcast 🎵 TikTok: @femalevoiceslifeloss 🔔 Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more women feel seen, supported, and less alone.