Therapy session with rapper Prodigy highlights living with a chronic illness

Before his untimely death, rapper Prodigy sat with a therapist on Viceland to discuss life and his challenges.

Prodigy on Viceland

Prodigy had sickle cell anemia and passed away two weeks ago at the age of 42. Though details of his official cause of death remain unknown, Prodigy has always been upfront with his battles with sickle cell anemia.

Dealing with pain

I found these videos interesting because Prodigy talks about the pain he endured as a person with a chronic illness. When I heard him talk, it reminded me of my down days dealing with connective tissue disease. One day you can be feeling fine, the next day you can be in so much pain, you cannot move.

Depression

What also struck me in this interview was when Prodigy began talking about how his illness might have made him develop depression. This is deep because as many people with chronic illnesses will tell you, the day to day struggles of dealing with your disease can break you down mentally. I know those days all too well.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle

Prodigy also talked about eating right and how he maintained a healthy lifestyle. It’s unfortunate that Prodigy left this earth too soon, but it seemed Prodigy was very much at peace with who he was.

The full episode aired yesterday on Viceland, but check out these chilling clips below.

RIP Prodigy.

Interview

Wow, this is deep! In a forthcoming interview with #Viceland’s The Therapist, #Prodigy recalls seeing a black shadow walk across his room. #rip

A post shared by Unheard Voices (@unheardvoicesmag) on Jul 10, 2017 at 3:52pm PDT