This is an audio playback from the live version of my podcast earrlier today with Damien. If you were listening to the live version, I rerecorded my part to make it clearer. I am hoping that upgrading my internet plan will help with the video version.
This episode is on Dyskeratosis Congenita (bone marrow failure) by means of Short Telemere Syndrome (Diysfunctional Chromosomes/DNA). Damien is an retired US Air Force Vet from Arizona. He was a flight engineer for the Air Force, He followed his dream to fly until he was involved in a car accident and the health issues he had ignored caught up with him. He has had 2 bone marrow transplants. We also talk briefly about the dog that helped him throught the trauma. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel Rare Chef and this podcast wherever you are listening. Shorts for this live may be delayed because of a trip to Atlanta, but they should be up by Friday.
Chapter Markers
0:00:00 Intro
0:03:39 Early symptoms
0:07:21 Air Force picture
0:10:26 Balancing Demands of Military Life
0:12:06 Challenges of an accurate diagnosis
0:16:07 Managing life as a flight engineer
0:18:20 coping on daily life
0:23:25 support from community
0:25:42 service dog
0:33:10 Transfusion before 2nd transplant
0:37:23 How Damien Managed his health after the loss of his father
0:41:05 support system
0:43:26 Day to Day life
0:48:34 military survival school
0:52:57 Volunteer work
0:55:49 treatment process
0:59:10 clinical trials
1:01:00 advice to others
1:07:30 what could Damien have done differently
1:09:13 Biggest takeaway from Damien's journey
1:11:08 Damien's message to future donors & how the gift has changed his life
1:15:52 Benefit of sharing your story
1:19:00 conclusion
