"None of this is your fault": Managing the PhD with a Chronic Health Condition with Louise LePage

Louise LePage was in her 30s when she did her MA in Drama and Performance (University College Dublin) and fell in love with academia and performance. Immediately afterwards she undertook a PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London, where she was also a Teaching Fellow.  She has since held positions at University of Reading and University of York.                                                                                                                                                          

In this episode we explore the challenges of navigating academia whilst managing a chronic illness like ME/CFS.

Louise reflects honestly on her own lived experiences and offers tips on  self-advocacy,  managing expectations, and taking an active role in shaping your PhD

 

She explains how finding a supportive supervisor can be a game changer and talks about the role of community and acceptance.

 

Louise also offers golden advice for managing deadlines.

Louise’s YouTube channel is: https://www.youtube.com/@FiftyShadesofTired1971

 

Louise recommends Facebook groups relating to the work of Dr Sarah Myhill and the 

Long Covid & ME/CFS healing through Creativity group.

 

 

You can read the transcript of this episode here: thephdliferaft.com

 

 

  If you would like a useful weekly email to support you on your PhD journey you can sign up for ‘Notes     from the Life Raft’ here:  https://mailchi.mp/f2dce91955c6/notes-from-the-life-raft