Interview 1. Tell me about your experience living with a blood disorder. How has it affected your daily life and activities? Chris: It doesn't affect me anymore because it was acute, but when I was diagnosed with it in high school, I had to leave class 5 minutes before anyone else so I wouldn't bump into anybody because I would bruise easily. I would also leave school 5 minutes earlier. I also couldn't play sports. 2. Can you describe the support system you had during your diagnosis and treatment? Who were the key people that helped you navigate this journey? Chris: My Mom or brother would take me to appointments to get my blood drawn for my platelet count also she stayed with me at the hospital for the three days I was there when I was first diagnosed. It was a scary time and having her by my side helped me feel more comfortable. My brother also supports me emotionally. They made sure I didn't feel alone, and they were always there to help me with anything I could not do. 3. Tell me about your interactions with healthcare providers. How did those relationships influence your understanding of your condition and your treatment options? Chris: My interactions with healthcare providers were actually really positive, which made a big difference in how I approached my condition. The doctors I saw made me feel very comfortable and safe, which helped me trust them and feel more at ease throughout the process. From what I understood, my blood disorder was acute rather than chronic, which meant I didn't have to worry about it impacting my daily life in the long-term. That was a huge relief. The doctors were able to explain everything clearly, and that helped me manage my expectations and feel more in control. It's been 14 years since I last saw a doctor for my blood disorder, which is a good sign, but I still carry the understanding they gave me on how to live my life without letting it hold me back. 4. How have social factors, such as your work environment or community, impacted your experience with your blood disorder? Can you share specific examples? Chris: When I was in high school, my blood disorder made it difficult for me to play sports, which was a big part of socializing and making friends. Since I couldn't join in on sports activities, I didn't get the chance to bond with others in the same way many other people did. I wasn't able to interact as much with people, and that made it harder to form connections. It definitely affected my social life, and there were times when I felt isolated. But I've learned to adjust over time, and as I've gotten older, I've been able to find other ways to connect with people and build meaningful relationships. 5. Can you discuss any challenges you faced in accessing healthcare services? How did issues of privilege or inequality shape your experience and recovery? Chris: In all honesty, I've been lucky when it comes to healthcare access. My family made sure that I got the care that I needed, and I didn't have any real problems in terms of insurance or getting to medical appointments. I know that some people have a tough time getting care for all kinds of reasons like cost, a lack of more information regarding healthcare, or long waits. That advantaged knowledge changed my look and made me realize how fortunate and privileged I've been with consistent care. I sometimes put myself in others' shoes to understand how much harder that has to be for those who aren't as equipped. ANSWER THIS: Try to identify three themes from our course that the interviewee's experiences illustrate. The themes that you found in their narrative. Then proceed to discuss the themes you identified in detail, drawing on examples from the interview.

Interview 1. Tell me about your experience living with a blood disorder. How has it affected your daily life and activities? Chris: It doesn't affect me anymore because it was acute, but when I was diagnosed with it in high school, I had to leave class 5 minutes before anyone else so I wouldn't bump into anybody because I would bruise easily. I would also leave school 5 minutes earlier. I also couldn't play sports. 2. Can you describe the support system you had during your diagnosis and treatment? Who were the key people that helped you navigate this journey? Chris: My Mom or brother would take me to appointments to get my blood drawn for my platelet count also she stayed with me at the hospital for the three days I was there when I was first diagnosed. It was a scary time and having her by my side helped me feel more comfortable. My brother also supports me emotionally. They made sure I didn't feel alone, and they were always there to help me with anything I could not do. 3. Tell me about your interactions with healthcare providers. How did those relationships influence your understanding of your condition and your treatment options? Chris: My interactions with healthcare providers were actually really positive, which made a big difference in how I approached my condition. The doctors I saw made me feel very comfortable and safe, which helped me trust them and feel more at ease throughout the process. From what I understood, my blood disorder was acute rather than chronic, which meant I didn't have to worry about it impacting my daily life in the long-term. That was a huge relief. The doctors were able to explain everything clearly, and that helped me manage my expectations and feel more in control. It's been 14 years since I last saw a doctor for my blood disorder, which is a good sign, but I still carry the understanding they gave me on how to live my life without letting it hold me back. 4. How have social factors, such as your work environment or community, impacted your experience with your blood disorder? Can you share specific examples? Chris: When I was in high school, my blood disorder made it difficult for me to play sports, which was a big part of socializing and making friends. Since I couldn't join in on sports activities, I didn't get the chance to bond with others in the same way many other people did. I wasn't able to interact as much with people, and that made it harder to form connections. It definitely affected my social life, and there were times when I felt isolated. But I've learned to adjust over time, and as I've gotten older, I've been able to find other ways to connect with people and build meaningful relationships. 5. Can you discuss any challenges you faced in accessing healthcare services? How did issues of privilege or inequality shape your experience and recovery? Chris: In all honesty, I've been lucky when it comes to healthcare access. My family made sure that I got the care that I needed, and I didn't have any real problems in terms of insurance or getting to medical appointments. I know that some people have a tough time getting care for all kinds of reasons like cost, a lack of more information regarding healthcare, or long waits. That advantaged knowledge changed my look and made me realize how fortunate and privileged I've been with consistent care. I sometimes put myself in others' shoes to understand how much harder that has to be for those who aren't as equipped. ANSWER THIS: Try to identify three themes from our course that the interviewee's experiences illustrate. The themes that you found in their narrative. Then proceed to discuss the themes you identified in detail, drawing on examples from the interview.