Episode Details

This episode originally aired in 2024 and is replayed for aHUS Awareness Day to raise awareness of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

What happens when survival meets the unexpected reality of a rare disease?

In September 2024, Taylor Coffman first shared her powerful story on The Life Shift. After giving birth to her daughter, she experienced a life-threatening emergency that revealed a rare disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Her survival came against all odds, and her journey from patient to advocate continues to inspire.

To honor aHUS Awareness Day, this replay brings Taylor’s story back to the forefront:

• How a childbirth emergency uncovered a rare and life-altering diagnosis
• Why patient empowerment and self-advocacy can make all the difference
• What resilience, gratitude, and motherhood taught Taylor about living with purpose

Replay this conversation and share it to help raise awareness for aHUS and rare diseases that often go unseen.

Guest Bio

After a career in acting and media, everything in Taylor Coffman’s life stopped during the birth of her daughter. Her delivery triggered atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, leaving her near death with multiple organ failure. Defying the odds, her survival inspired her to become a patient advocate, empowering others facing rare or life-altering diagnoses. Taylor’s Huffington Post article about her medical crisis became Apple News’ top story, reaching nearly 1 million readers in 48 hours. She now writes Rare Disease Girl on Substack and is working on a book that blends advocacy, light, and humor with the hard truths of navigating chronic illness. Connect with Taylor at Rare Disease Girl on Substack or on Instagram @taylorcoffmanmade.

Topics Discussed

• Taylor’s life-threatening crisis during childbirth in 2021
• The rare disease aHUS and why awareness matters
• The importance of advocating for yourself in medical settings
• Motherhood while living with chronic illness
• Post-traumatic growth and gratitude after survival
• How storytelling can reshape healthcare and connection

🎧 Listen to this replay in honor of aHUS Awareness Day: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

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This episode is brought to you by *still HERE: True Stories of the Moments That Changed Everything* by Matt Gilhooly. Matt is the creator and host of The Life Shift Podcast. Over four years and more than 240 episodes, he has sat with strangers and asked them about the moments that changed everything. *still HERE* is what he found. Over 100 true stories. Eight sections. One listener making sense of what it all means for the rest of us. Available now in Kindle and paperback on Amazon. Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Still-Here-Stories-Moments-Everything/dp/1639011854/ If you read it and it moves you, an honest review on