Follow Friday: Featuring 5 Patient Experts

Meet these patient experts who rise above when it comes to inspiring and providing support to others. These individuals not only share their experiences and expertise, but they raise awareness and offer insights so that others can identify and be better informed.

1. @breathinstephen Marathons and severe asthma—no way? Think again. Stephen Gaudet has lived with severe refractory asthma since birth. Beating most odds, he has walked his way into the record books by becoming the first person with documented severe lung disease to finish the Boston marathon. Just this past April, he finished it again to raise awareness about current asthma research. His Breathin' Stephen blog is simply inspiring. He chronicles his fitness routine and shares tips for the benefit of others. His message is clear—physical fitness is critical for people with chronic lung disease.  His approach is motivating and commendable.
   
   
2. @accarmichael Cofounder of CureTogether and chronic pain sufferer, Alexandra Carmichael, shares quality health resources. CureTogether helps people anonymously compare health data to make more informed treatment decisions. This community allows patients to help each other and participate in data collection. Last year, CureTogether was a winner of the Mayo Clinic iSpot Competition for Ideas that Will Transform Healthcare. Check it out!
   
   
3. @ADHD_Hunter Want help and direction with ADHD and coexisting conditions in the family? A good place to turn is the outstanding ADHD Hunter's Hunter in a Farmer’s World blog. Chris, aka ADHD Hunter, shares insights and quality information on his ADHD and other conditions that his family lives with on a daily basis. He credits Thom Hartman for the Hunter in a Farmer's World concept, but uses this concept to paint a picture for those without ADHD to better understand the condition and support those who cope with ADHD. His What is Good ADHD Parenting? and related parenting posts are especially insightful.
   
   
4. @CancerVoicesSA Cancer survivor and Cancer Voices SA executive, Ashleigh Moore, contributes quality cancer resources and encourages those affected by cancer to connect with others. Cancer Voices South Australia was officially launched by the Minister for Health, John Hill, in November 2007. Ashleigh promotes ‘Raising a voice for those affected by cancer’ through advocacy,
   involvement, awareness, and information.  Check out this helpful cancer support site.
   
   
5. @BipolarChica Mental health blogger, Cristina Fender, shares quality and personal bipolar disorder insights. Cristina breaks through the taboo barrier and journals about her feelings, thoughts, and experiences while living with this disorder. Her HealthyPlaces Bipolar Vida blog chronicles her life as she "tries to open the blinds and see the sunshine." While she professes to not always win that battle, she sheds light for others struggling with bipolar disorder. 

Stay tuned as we feature other remarkable patient experts. If you know of someone who is worthy of our patient expert award, please use our contact form to recommend the Twitter profile of this worthy patient expert. 

by Julie Bohlen, MBA, ELS