{"id":108,"date":"2026-01-16T10:41:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T10:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/?page_id=108"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:55:09","slug":"stories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Personal Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<main class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-accent-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:13px;border-top-right-radius:13px;border-bottom-left-radius:13px;border-bottom-right-radius:13px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bc18b00a wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color has-x-large-font-size wp-elements-3\"><strong>Our Stories<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0\"><ul class=\"columns-3 alignfull wp-block-post-template is-layout-grid wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-c0c1a110 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-grid\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-253 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\">\n<figure style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/strengthening-a-small-community-through-knowledge-and-advocacy\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"1264\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ella-Balasa-pic2.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"Turning Illness\u00a0Into\u00a0Impact: Empowering Patients in Research and Care\u00a0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ella-Balasa-pic2.jpeg 842w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ella-Balasa-pic2-200x300.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ella-Balasa-pic2-682x1024.jpeg 682w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Ella-Balasa-pic2-768x1153.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d81b84eb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-top:0\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/strengthening-a-small-community-through-knowledge-and-advocacy\/\" target=\"_self\" >Turning Illness\u00a0Into\u00a0Impact: Empowering Patients in Research and Care\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-template-part\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6a058180 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/strengthening-a-small-community-through-knowledge-and-advocacy\/\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-10T00:00:33+00:00\">Sep 10, 2026<\/time><\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-small-font-size has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">by<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/author\/ellabalasacohort6\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Ella Balasa<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\">in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"tag\">Uncategorized<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">\u00a0Being born with cystic fibrosis (CF) \u2014 a progressive, genetic lung disease \u2014 I have had countless health care encounters throughout my life, spending time in the hospital being treated for lung infections through adolescence and into adulthood. From these experiences, I learned the power that lies in self-advocating for my health in the clinical&hellip; <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-251 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\">\n<figure style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/on-pain-proof-and-the-refusal-to-disappear\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2016\" height=\"1134\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"From Fellowship to Action\u00a0\u00a0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg.jpeg 2016w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Shulamit-Burstein.Pic-1.jpg-1536x864.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2016px) 100vw, 2016px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d81b84eb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-top:0\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/on-pain-proof-and-the-refusal-to-disappear\/\" target=\"_self\" >From Fellowship to Action\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-template-part\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6a058180 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/on-pain-proof-and-the-refusal-to-disappear\/\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-10T00:00:18+00:00\">Sep 10, 2026<\/time><\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-small-font-size has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">by<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/author\/shulamitburstein\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Shulamit Burstein<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\">in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"tag\">Uncategorized<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">After completing the EUPATI Fellowship, I returned to my work with a renewed sense of strength, clarity, and purpose. The programme gave me tools, but more than that\u2014it reminded me why I do this work. I felt a deep desire to amplify the voices of patients living with atopic dermatitis and to bring this understanding&hellip; <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-226 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\">\n<figure style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/taking-our-seat-at-the-table-how-patient-who-think-big-can-shape-healthcare-research-and-policy\/\" target=\"_self\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"918\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Aspasia-photo-beige-background.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"From Lived Experience to Structured Patient Involvement: My EUPATI Journey\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3\/4;width:100%;object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Aspasia-photo-beige-background.jpeg 918w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Aspasia-photo-beige-background-239x300.jpeg 239w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Aspasia-photo-beige-background-816x1024.jpeg 816w, https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Aspasia-photo-beige-background-768x964.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 918px) 100vw, 918px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d81b84eb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-top:0\"><h2 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/taking-our-seat-at-the-table-how-patient-who-think-big-can-shape-healthcare-research-and-policy\/\" target=\"_self\" >From Lived Experience to Structured Patient Involvement: My EUPATI Journey<\/a><\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-template-part\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6a058180 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/taking-our-seat-at-the-table-how-patient-who-think-big-can-shape-healthcare-research-and-policy\/\"><time datetime=\"2026-09-10T00:00:00+00:00\">Sep 10, 2026<\/time><\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t\n\t\t<p class=\"has-small-font-size has-contrast-2-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">by<\/p>\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/author\/aspasiakarampela\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Aspasia Karampela<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\">in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"tag\">Uncategorized<\/a><\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt has-text-color has-contrast-2-color has-small-font-size wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-excerpt__excerpt\">My journey with patient advocacy began long before I joined the EUPATI Patient Expert Training Programme. It was shaped by lived experience \u2014 supporting my spouse through Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis\u00a0 (ALS) \u2014 and later strengthened through years of professional engagement in European-level dialogue, policy, and education.\u00a0 EUPATI offered the missing bridge: structured knowledge that connects&hellip; <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-32e3a40d\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/main>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our Stories<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-108","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":591,"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/108\/revisions\/591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eupati.eu\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}