A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast: Strangely Optimistic, A Long Covid Film by Nina Storey

Hi! This bonus episode of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast was recorded in the spur of the moment on our phones, so it's nowhere near studio quality! I literally called Nina to see if she was free, and she was in a parking lot with Bubsie in the backseat.

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What if dark humor and salt could help shine a light on the often invisible world of Long Covid, chronic illness, and disability? Nina Storey, a long hauler who is a singer, songwriter, and comedy writer, decided to create a short film capturing the unpredictable reality of living with Long Covid. Despite the struggles and a very tight deadline, Nina's film, Strangely Optimistic, is a powerful testament to finding joy amid chaos, and it was all crafted in just five days for the 13th Annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. In this bonus episode of A Friend for the Long Haul - A Long Covid Podcast, Nina shares the story behind her dramedy and how her personal experience with Long Covid motivated her to push for greater awareness through storytelling. We discuss how she balanced creative vision with her physical health, why representation in media for invisible illnesses matters, and the key role humor plays in survival and advocacy. We speak of the strength of those of us living with chronic illness and disability, the power of community support, and the importance of authentic, unfiltered stories in changing perceptions. This isn’t just about Strangely Optimistic, it's about reminding us all that even in our darkest moments, humor and authenticity can pave the way for connection and understanding. If you’re living with chronic illness, caring for someone who is, or simply want to learn how storytelling can be a form of advocacy, this conversation offers inspiration and practical insight. Nina’s journey shows us that visibility is also about giving voice to the unspoken and challenging the stereotypes. And the occasional fart joke doesn't hurt.Find Nina’s film at https://www.strangelyoptimisticmovie.com or on the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge YouTube channel here: • Strangely Optimistic - 2026 Easterseals Di... Please engage with the video on the Easterseals channel - there are prizes for several different winning categories! Likes, comments, and shares of the YouTube video of Strangely Optimistic all contribute. Thank you! Oh, and if you watch the video and spot Nina's homage to me, comment on it and tag me! :) How to Support the Awareness Campaign: From April 4–13, the public can support the film’s mission by watching, liking, and commenting on the official Easterseals YouTube and Facebook posts. These engagement metrics directly contribute to the "Best Awareness Campaign" award, elevating the conversation around Long COVID on a global stage.

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Also mentioned in this episode: Dr. Wes Ely's Reverse Long Covid Trial: https://www.reversinglongcovid.org/

Beth's "Rest is Medicine" shirt is by Dr. Julia Moore Vogel, and you can see her craftiness on her Instagram account: / pineapple_sewing

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