514 | I’m an Adult Now: Supporting Young Adults With a Rare Disease

In this episode, hosts Ryan Baxter and Mark Ambrogio interview Dima Kassem, a PhD student in Anthropology on her research in the field of Sociocultural Anthropology.  More specifically, Dima is studying the assistance provided for People Living with a Rare Disease (PLWRD).  Entering the second year of her PhD, Dima is furthering her research on this subject, continuing work she did in her Master's degree.  In this conversation, Ryan and Mark learn about the support networks available for PLWRD -- and where support may be lacking; especially, as youth transition into legal adulthood.  

An important part of the conversation is the awareness that human "subjects" not only need to be treated with dignity, but also that their voices need to be heard.  Dima's supervisor is Dr. Pamela Block.  You can follow Dima on Twitter / X.  



Recorded on Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Produced by Mark Ambrogio
Theme song provided by FreeBeats.io (Produced by White Hot)