My name is Debra Rafson, and I’m a writer, patient advocate, and chronic illness and disability storyteller. What’s Her Problem? is a publication for people living with chronic illness or disability, their caregivers, clinicians, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the medical world through the eyes of a patient.
The name What’s Her Problem? comes from a real moment when a TSA agent looked at me and my mobility devices and asked that exact question, “What’s Her Problem?”! As though I had done something wrong by having a visible illness or disability. But I’m reclaiming those words! Here, “problems” aren’t judgments; they’re the real issues at the heart of chronic illness and disability, named so we can talk about them honestly.
My mission is to take what I have learned through my own successes and failures with chronic illness and disability and help make the path forward a little bit easier for others who are going through something similar. No one ever taught me how to be sick, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. That’s the power of storytelling.
I invite you to join me on this journey. Here’s where to start:
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Watch every episode of the “What’s Her Problem? Interview Series, or check out my articles by topic area, including chronic illness, disability, my genetic heart condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and more.
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Follow me on Notes, which is Substack’s social media.
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Read recent articles, or check out my full archive.
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Visit my About page to learn more about me and this publication.
Free Subscribers receive New issues of “What’s Her Problem?,” delivered directly to your email inbox and/or your Substack app on most Fridays. That includes personal essays, Q&As, opinion pieces, and Interview Series episodes, all tackling Issues at the Heart of Chronic Illness and Disability. I record an audio voiceover for every issue, in which I read the post aloud, for those who prefer to listen, rather than read. These audio recordings are also available in podcast form on your favorite podcast platforms. Subscribe to “What’s Her Problem Podcast” on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, YouTube, and more.
For only $6/month or $60/year, Paid Subscribers get everything Free Subscribers get, PLUS:
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“What’s Her Problem? Insider” Emails, a behind-the scenes look at “What’s Her Problem?,” and the opportunity to submit a question for each Interview Series Guest ahead of time.
For $150/year, Open-Hearted Supporters, the highest subscription tier, get everything Paid Subscribers get, PLUS:
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One free item of “What’s Her Problem?” merchandise per year and a one-hour, one-on-one virtual meeting with me, to be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.
Thank you for being here. Your support means so much!
-Debra
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