Coping with Invisible Illnesses: Insights from Olivia Bowdy

My friend Olivia Bowdy is here today to talk about her journey with invisible illness. She has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that affects collagen. We talk about her experiences living with invisible illnesses and the challenges of finding a suitable career. 

She is now part of the Springdale Title team, and she shares how working from home has been helpful for her. She also emphasizes the importance of finding a career that works with one’s body.

Olivia maintains a positive outlook on life and encourages others to find hope and seek support, including talking to a therapist. She is a role model for young people dealing with chronic illnesses and reminds listeners that it’s okay not to be okay and to allow themselves to grieve. 

Episode Highlights: 

[01:17] Olivia has a lot of invisible illnesses. She broke her arm in high school, and it never healed right. After multiple surgeries, they discovered that she had Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS). Which is a connective tissue disorder dealing with collagen.

[03:01] All of the women on her mother’s side of the family have this.

[04:44] There are multiple types of syndromes, and many people have it. 

[06:09] Olivia shares her perspective on life. She majored in Psychology and worked in a bookstore after college. She loved that job, but she knows she has to work with her body when it comes to careers. She maintains a positive attitude.

[09:37] There’s always hope out there, you just need to find it.

[11:53] Sometimes people with chronic illnesses get very used to masking everything all the time.

[12:23] Being able to work from home is very helpful when you have a chronic illness.

[14:26] Olivia is a true inspiration and a great role model for other young people who are coping with invisible illnesses.

[15:01] Olivia says that it’s okay to not be okay, and life is never going to be perfect.

[15:37] She allows herself to grieve and tries to talk to people, even though she’s an introvert.

[16:13] There are people out there willing to listen.

[16:42] Find a therapist and talk to somebody if you need to.

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Springdale Title
• Springdale Title Richmond, Ky
• Olivia Marie Bowdy Facebook