After surviving a chaotic and abusive upbringing, a woman develops an undiagnosable autoimmune disorder that threatens to take her vision and her livelihood, but when a friend brings a blow-up doll to play a practical joke one night, everything changes.&nbsp;Today’s episode featured Gina Hessburg. You can find out more about her and Rafael on Instagram @blowinguprafael or on her website, <a href="http://www.blowinguprafael.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">blowinguprafael.com</a>. On the website, you can also buy Gina’s book, Blowing Up, featuring her journey with Rafael. Gina is offering listeners to This Is Actually Happening $10 off her book if you use the code HAPPENING. $5 of each sale goes towards organizations that provide patient support and research for treatments for people like Gina.&nbsp;Content/Trigger Warnings:&nbsp; domestic abuse, mention of suicide, medical trauma, explicit language&nbsp;Producer:&nbsp;Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits&nbsp;Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcastThis Is Actually Happening Discussion Group on Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/201783687561039/</a>&nbsp;Website:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.thisisactuallyhappening.com</a>Website for Andrew Waits: <a href="http://www.andrdewwaits.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.andrdewwaits.com</a>&nbsp;Wondery Plus:&nbsp;All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service.&nbsp;To access the full&nbsp;catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at&nbsp;<a href="https://wondery.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wondery.com/plus</a>&nbsp;Support the Show:&nbsp;Support The Show on Patreon&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/happening" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/happening</a>&nbsp;Shop at the Store:&nbsp;The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop</a>&nbsp;to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.&nbsp;&nbsp;Transcripts:&nbsp;Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com&nbsp;Intro Music:&nbsp;"Illabye" – TipperMusic Bed:&nbsp;“Cylinder Four/Five” – Chris Zabriskie&nbsp;ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources.&nbsp;National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:&nbsp;1-800-273-8255&nbsp;National Alliance on Mental Illness:&nbsp;1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN):&nbsp;1-800-656-HOPE (4673)National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)Crisis Text Line:&nbsp;Within the US, text HOME to 741741See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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248: What if an invisible disease blew up your life?

This Is Actually Happening