Life With a Difference
A space to celebrate and empower individuals with visible differences.
Through my work as a patient advocate I've had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people with stories that I believe we could all benefit from hearing.
This podcast aims to share those stories, experiences, and journeys of those living with unique appearances. Through candid conversations and inspiring interviews, we aim to challenge stereotypes, foster understanding, increase empathy and kindness and build a community where everyone feels seen and heard.
Join us as we explore topics ranging from self-acceptance and advocacy to the everyday triumphs and challenges faced by our guests. Whether you have a visible difference or simply want to learn more, you’re invited to be part of our conversation and discover the beauty in diversity.
Subscribe now to help create a kinder and more inclusive world.
Life With a Difference
"I thought I could never be an actor" | Life with Osteosarcoma: Crystal Marshall
I speak with Crystal Marshall , an actor, advocate and cancer survivor who lives with a facial difference. Crystal shares her journey of being diagnosed with cancer just days after her 18th birthday, navigating the trauma of facial surgery, and reclaiming her place in the arts industry despite the barriers society tried to place around her.
From being told she’d never act again, to seeing herself represented on a wall she never imagined she’d be on, Crystal’s story is one of strength, self-advocacy, and defying expectations.
We talk about:
• Her harrowing experience with early surgical consultations
• The emotional impact of a facial difference
• Feeling dismissed in healthcare settings
• The importance of seeing surgeons’ previous work
• How she found pride, visibility, and purpose through storytelling and representation
This conversation is about more than survival, it’s about ownership, identity, and becoming the role model you once needed.
💬 Let us know what part of Crystal’s story resonated with you most in the comments.
👇 Subscribe and follow for more conversations about living with a visible difference.
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