Patient Leader Certification: What's Your 60 Second Pitch?
What is your 60-second pitch? In other words, what would you say to someone to summarize who you are in 60 seconds or less?
Share your pitch here, and read other Patient Leaders' pitches! Remember that as you evolve in your Patient Leader journey, your pitch may evolve, too!
My name is Richard Mayede, and I was born into a devout Buddhist family in 1968. I believed I could over asthma, which once kept me from running or even keeping up with other kids. Through chanting and exercise, I not only overcame asthma — I became one of the fastest sprinters on my high school track team. That early experience showed me the power of belief in my faith and helped me stay strong through my entire life.
In 2005, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Instead of feeling defeated, I chose to use this challenge to inspire others and deepen my compassion. It’s taught me to try to see the Buddha nature in everyone.
Looking toward the future, I focus on enjoying each day, volunteering in the Parkinson’s community, and continuing to share my faith. My hope is to live in a way that contributes to creating value and respect for humanity, one day at a time.
Hi, I’m Rachael, a patient leader, disability advocate, and content creator. I live with multiple sclerosis and use my platform to amplify real stories from the disabled community, challenge stigma, and push for accessible change.
Through my work, whether it’s social media advocacy, blogging, or public speaking, I focus on bridging the gap between patients and policymakers, making sure lived experience isn’t just heard, but valued in decisions that affect our lives.
I bring an honest, creative, and solutions-driven perspective, grounded in both personal experience and years of community engagement. My goal as a patient leader is simple: to turn challenges into change, and ensure every voice, especially those often left out, has a seat at the table."
Hi, I’m Leia Ali—an HS warrior of 28 years and a patient advocate in remission. My journey includes biologics, surgery, and a holistic routine of supplements, yoga, and meditation. I know the fear, the flare-ups, and the isolation—and I know the power of evidence-based care, community, and self-advocacy.
I founded the Empowered HS Goddess Foundation to turn pain into purpose: educating patients and providers, funding resources, and connecting people to compassionate, practical support. As a caregiver and organizer, I translate lived experience into action—building programs, raising awareness, and equipping others to speak up at the doctor’s office, at work, and at home.
What I bring: a credible patient voice, program design and training skills, and a relentless belief that people with HS deserve dignity, access, and joy.
If you’re a clinician, policymaker, brand, or fellow patient, let’s partner to expand access, elevate research, and make daily life easier. Together, we move from surviving to thriving.
Hi there, I’m Amanda & I’ve been on quite the journey since my fibromyalgia diagnosis back in may 2009. I’ve learned so much in that time about myself, the condition & about the chronic illness community & have experienced a LOT from the lows of career loss through to the literal highs of charity abseils &zip line challenges!!
I’m keen to raise awareness of fibromyalgia & to increase understanding of the condition. I’m also passionate about supporting people with fibro and other chronic illnesses because i know myself the power of community and of shared knowledge in finding hope & a way forward
