In this episode of Chronic, host Lucy Pasha-Robinson is joined by Ali Gaspar, AKA A Star, a rapper and grime artist who lives with sickle cell anaemia. 

We dive headfirst into why we know so little about this cripplingly painful disease – could it be because it predominantly affects Black and Asian communities?

We also talk dating etiquette when you live with a hereditary illness, masculinity and learning how to show vulnerability when living in chronic pain, music as a form of self-expression, religion and the role of faith in feeling hopeful, and the life-changing importance of good therapy. 

Follow Ali @AStarMusicUK

Stay tuned for more on all things Chronic by following host @LucyPasha on Twitter.

Want to reach the team? Drop us a line at chronic@huffpost.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.