In this urgent and deeply moving episode, Michelle sits down with Emma Cloney and Diana Dimmock—two powerful advocates from Lipedema Canada—to talk about the medical condition most clinicians have never even heard of, despite its potential to affect 1 in 9 women.
Together, they dive into:
- What lipedema actually is—and how it differs from lymphedema and obesity
- Why lipedema is painful, progressive, and devastating when left untreated
- The staggering lack of awareness in Canadian medical schools and healthcare systems
- How fatphobia, gender bias, and medical gaslighting keep patients in the dark
- The emotional and financial toll of living with an unrecognized condition
- Practical resources for patients and clinicians
- What needs to change—and how we can all be part of that change
This episode is more than just a discussion—it’s a rallying cry for justice, compassion, and recognition.
Whether you're a clinician, patient, or simply someone who cares about women's health, you don’t want to miss this conversation.
Resources Mentioned:
Lipedema Canada – For patient info, clinician resources, advocacy tools & support
Lipedema.org (US-based) – Diagnostic tools and educational materials
Follow @LipedemaCanada on social media for shareable awareness content
More About Our Guests:
Emma Cloney
Emma Cloney is a Women’s Health Nurse and the Vice President and co-founder of Lipedema Canada / Lipœdème Canada, the national nonprofit association for lipedema dedicated to raising awareness, improving access to care, and advancing research for people living with lipedema—a chronic and often misdiagnosed fat disorder that primarily affects women.
Emma brings over ten years of clinical experience and a deeply personal connection to this work. Diagnosed with lipedema in 2021, she became the first Canadian to receive multiple mobility-preserving surgeries for the condition funded through provincial healthcare—after successfully advocating for policy change in Manitoba. Her experience highlighted the serious gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness across Canada.