The Disability Diaries With Steven Vine

Agust Kristjan Steinarrsson: Pushing the limits to get his life back

Steven Vine Episode 33

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In this episode, Steve talks with Agust who lives in Iceland. Our guest has had 2 serious conditions: Ostomy care and bouts of manic episodes. He's had a very challenging life as he was affected with manic episodes when he was 19 years old. He also dealt with colitis and cancer, which led to the removal of his colon and getting an ostomy. He is an avid mountaineer and leads an active outdoor lifestyle. The news of his health challenges was very difficult. To help in his healing process, he started to move and get back to the outdoors - which turned out to be a very positive motivation for him. He found a supportive network in the ostomy community which gave him life and opportunities. His manic condition at 19 manifested itself in bizarre beliefs of something powerful. He struggled with institutions and medication, but he finally found positive care and was ready to heal and become whole again. He is very open about his struggles, which he wrote a book about based on his own life. His story is his strength.

His Book: "Nights of Nonsense: an Icelandic memoir of healing and hope"