Corinne Vien

Thank you for listening to Blink. This podcast is hosted and produced by me, Corinne Vien, alongside my co-creator and survivor, Jake Handel. Our original music is composed by the brilliant and talented Michael Margay. We're so grateful for your support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing this story with others.

Thank you for listening to Blink. This podcast is hosted and produced by me, Corinne Vien, alongside my co-creator and survivor, Jake Handel. Our original music is composed by the brilliant and talented Michael Margay. We're so grateful for your support. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing this story with others.

For additional resources, updates, and behind-the-scenes content, visit our website, BlinkThePodcast.com. Blink will return with a new episode next Sunday.

For additional resources, updates, and behind-the-scenes content, visit our website, BlinkThePodcast.com. Blink will return with a new episode next Sunday.

Blink is intended for mature audiences as it discusses topics that can be upsetting, such as drug use, sexual assault, and emotional and physical violence. Content warnings for each episode are included in the show notes. Resources for drug addiction and domestic abuse can be found in the show notes and on our website, BlankThePodcast.com.

Blink is intended for mature audiences as it discusses topics that can be upsetting, such as drug use, sexual assault, and emotional and physical violence. Content warnings for each episode are included in the show notes. Resources for drug addiction and domestic abuse can be found in the show notes and on our website, BlankThePodcast.com.

The testimonies and opinions expressed by guests of the show are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of myself or affiliates of this podcast. Any individuals mentioned in the episode are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law unless explicitly stated otherwise. Fear.

The testimonies and opinions expressed by guests of the show are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of myself or affiliates of this podcast. Any individuals mentioned in the episode are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the court of law unless explicitly stated otherwise. Fear.

It's a primal emotion that has been an inseparable part of the human experience since the dawn of our existence. It is both a protector and a tormentor, guiding us away from danger while often chaining us to our anxieties. Fear keeps us safe. Yet, when it comes to our health, fear does not necessarily aid in our survival. You have a rare disease that's eating away at your brain.

It's a primal emotion that has been an inseparable part of the human experience since the dawn of our existence. It is both a protector and a tormentor, guiding us away from danger while often chaining us to our anxieties. Fear keeps us safe. Yet, when it comes to our health, fear does not necessarily aid in our survival. You have a rare disease that's eating away at your brain.

You're given six months to live. And no, this is not your search results on WebMD. But being told this is certainly scary, and it's a reminder of just how little control we have, and a reminder of the impermanence of life, the fragility of our bodies. Sometimes diseases cannot be conquered, and fear cannot be overcome. Dark, I know, but this is what happened to Jake.

You're given six months to live. And no, this is not your search results on WebMD. But being told this is certainly scary, and it's a reminder of just how little control we have, and a reminder of the impermanence of life, the fragility of our bodies. Sometimes diseases cannot be conquered, and fear cannot be overcome. Dark, I know, but this is what happened to Jake.

Just weeks earlier, Jake's life was normal. Well, I mean, as normal as it could be. He lived at home with his wife. He went to work every day. He spent time with friends and family. He took romantic getaways and he traveled frequently. But Jake was also an addict and his addiction resulted in an extremely rare brain disease, a death sentence. His body shut down at a rapid speed.

Just weeks earlier, Jake's life was normal. Well, I mean, as normal as it could be. He lived at home with his wife. He went to work every day. He spent time with friends and family. He took romantic getaways and he traveled frequently. But Jake was also an addict and his addiction resulted in an extremely rare brain disease, a death sentence. His body shut down at a rapid speed.

A few weeks was all it took for Jake to go from walking and talking to relying on others to carry him and make all the medical decisions. Jake and those around him struggled to figure out what to do for him in the short window of time they had before Jake would inevitably become paralyzed, slip into a coma, and die. Losing Jake. Now, that was a fear that was shared by everyone around him.

A few weeks was all it took for Jake to go from walking and talking to relying on others to carry him and make all the medical decisions. Jake and those around him struggled to figure out what to do for him in the short window of time they had before Jake would inevitably become paralyzed, slip into a coma, and die. Losing Jake. Now, that was a fear that was shared by everyone around him.

Or so he thought. This is Blank. I'm your host, Corinne Vienne.

Or so he thought. This is Blank. I'm your host, Corinne Vienne.

Spalding Rehab, the third best rehabilitation hospital in the U.S., which just so happens to be in Boston, where Jake lives. But Jake wasn't able to get into Spalding quite yet. At this moment in time, he was being cared for by Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital. And over the next few months, Jake would transfer from hospital to hospital.

Spalding Rehab, the third best rehabilitation hospital in the U.S., which just so happens to be in Boston, where Jake lives. But Jake wasn't able to get into Spalding quite yet. At this moment in time, he was being cared for by Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital. And over the next few months, Jake would transfer from hospital to hospital.