The Diagnosis Gap: Culture, Bias & Chronic GI Disease

**What happens when culture, bias, trauma, and chronic illness intersect?** In this episode of *Surviving Out of Spite*, Sam sits down with patient advocate and non profit leader **Tina Aswani-Omprakash** to chat about her journey living with Crohn’s disease, gastroparesis, and other GI conditions. Tina shares how cultural expectations, healthcare biases, and how unfortunate medical trauma shaped her experiences as a South Asian woman navigating the healthcare system. Together, they talk about the importance of shared decision-making, culturally sensitive care, and the need to create safe spaces where patients feel seen, heard, and supported. They also talk about the stigma surrounding GI conditions, the role of intergenerational trauma, and why trust between patients and providers is essential for healing. The conversation dives into food and cultural identity, the challenges of restrictive diets, and the importance of finding dietitians and healthcare professionals who understand diverse backgrounds. Sam and Tina highlight the power of community, vulnerability, and advocacy in breaking down stigma and empowering patients living with chronic digestive diseases. Whether you're living with Crohn’s disease, gastroparesis, IBD, or another chronic illness, this episode offers hope, validation, and practical insights on navigating healthcare while honoring your identity and lived experience. Links mentioned in the podcast episode: https://ownyourcrohns.com/ https://saia-gi.org/