Unbreakable Spirit: Gregory Smith's Journey with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

In this conversation, Gregory Smith shares his inspiring journey as one of the oldest survivors of type 3 osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). He discusses the challenges he faced growing up with a rare genetic condition, the importance of family support, and his career as a social worker.

Gregory emphasizes the need for awareness and understanding of OI, highlighting the resilience required to navigate life with such a condition.

ABOUT GUEST:

At 68, Greg Smith is one of the oldest survivors of Type 3 Osteogeneses Imperfecta in the world. Greg is a retired medical social worker who worked in local hospitals & nursing homes for more than 30 years. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife Holly, and two dogs, Katie & Cocoa. Greg is the author of the memoir An Unbreakable Spirit, and a new short story collection, Crossing Abbey Road. He is a Beatles fan and and avid reader who enjoys sports, music, and movies. He runs the YouTube channel “Unbreakable 
Spirits” and the “Unbreakable” podcast. 

KEY NOTES:

Gregory Smith is one of the oldest survivors of type 3 OI
Family support played a crucial role in his resilience
He emphasizes the importance of positivity in difficult times
Marriage is built on love and equality, not pity
Animals possess a unique empathy towards humans
Storytelling can convey deep emotions and experiences

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Intro
05:17 Overcoming Challenges: A Life with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
12:05 The Role of Family Support in Resilience
22:10 Understanding Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Medical Insights
30:01 The Importance of Awareness and Acceptance
35:01 Facing Mortality in Childhood
37:29 Innovative Education: Learning from Home
40:08 The Shared Experience of Disability
44:45 Finding Common Ground in Challenges
46:42 Overcoming Societal Barriers
52:07 The Journey to Becoming a Social Worker
56:06 The Importance of Community Support
01:01:18 Finding Love and Connection
01:07:00 A Positive Perspective on Life's Challenges
01:08:31 The Blessings of Love and Marriage
01:10:31 Finding Happiness in Later Life
01:11:57 The Companionship of Pets
01:14:37 The Empathy of Animals
01:17:45 Connecting Through Sports and Music
01:20:00 The Power of Storytelling
01:29:01 Resilience Against All Odds
01:31:15 The Importance of Medical Genetics Counseling
01:32:35 Leaving a Legacy of Awareness and Compassion

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

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