{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Becoming Lucy","title":"Scleroderma Took My Sister… Now I’m Carrying On Her Legacy | Grief, Healing & Finding Purpose","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":5271,"description":"When Alex Santana lost his sister, Giselle, to the rare autoimmune disease systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), his world changed forever. What followed was a journey through unimaginable grief, mental health struggles and searching for purpose—one that would ultimately transform heartbreak into hope.\n\nIn this deeply moving episode of Becoming Lucy, Alex opens up about growing up in Scotland, chasing bigger dreams, stepping into the world of television and reality TV, and how losing Giselle at just 38 years old reshaped every part of his life.\n\nTogether, we explore the devastating reality of sibling loss, the impact of rare autoimmune diseases, and the emotional toll of watching someone you love battle a life-limiting illness. Alex shares the final moments with his sister, the grief that followed, and why he now dedicates his life to raising awareness of scleroderma and supporting others facing bereavement.\n\nWe also dive into spirituality, signs from loved ones, mental health, self-acceptance, finding purpose after loss, and the healing power of community. Alex reflects on how social media unexpectedly became part of his recovery, why advocacy gave his grief meaning, and how fundraising, charity work, television opportunities and even learning to figure skate helped him rebuild his confidence and discover who he was becoming.\n\nThis is an honest conversation about resilience, healing after loss, finding light in life’s darkest moments, and believing that even after unimaginable heartbreak, hope can still exist.\n\nWhether you’ve experienced grief, lost a sibling, supported someone through illness, struggled with your mental health, or simply need reminding that life can grow around pain, Alex’s story is one that will stay with you long after the episode ends.\n\nIn this episode we discuss:\n\nGrief, bereavement and sibling loss\nSystemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and rare autoimmune disease awareness\nMental health, resilience and healing\nSpirituality, signs and finding...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/GuSfZ5U_EMZfpa4Gn3hDD4e3-WqB3IQdq7dcFX40AuE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xNDBm/ZTMyYTkzYTQ1ZWQ2/YTczN2ZkNWFmZDNi/ZDJkMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}