New Staff Introduction: Linda Pozen

Why I Became a Navigator for People Living with Long COVID and ME/CFS

The right call or email can change everything—but when you’re sick, those steps can feel impossible to take alone.

I know what it’s like to live with an energy-limiting illness. I have Long COVID and other chronic health challenges, and I understand how unpredictable and overwhelming it can be to manage daily life while also trying to navigate complicated systems. At the same time, I’ve built my career in social services—first in nonprofits and more recently as a clinical social worker supporting people with chronic illness and disability. With both lived experience and professional training, I’m grateful to step into the role of navigator for the Minnesota Home Help Navigation Program, a new pilot of #MEAction funded by the Minnesota Department of Health.

“I believe people when they say what they’re going through, and I want to help them get their needs met.” ~ Linda Pozen

One thing I’ve learned through my work is that the right phone call or email can make a monumental difference in someone’s life. But when you’re sick, even those small steps can feel exhausting, overwhelming, or simply out of reach. That’s where a navigator can help—taking on part of the burden while also guiding you up what can feel like a mountain, breaking it into smaller steps so you can reach the support you need more quickly.

I also know that barriers don’t look the same for everyone. When illness intersects with other parts of identity—like race, class, or disability—the obstacles to care can multiply. That’s why it matters to meet people where they are, to validate their experience, and to move forward at a pace that works for them. I believe people when they say what they’re going through, and I want to help them get their needs met.

Outside of work, I love birding, listening to Dungeons & Dragons podcasts, and spending time with my dogs, cat, and cockatiel. My cat especially likes to steal the spotlight during video calls—demanding attention at just the right moment. I think many people will appreciate their cameos.

This work is personal for me. I know how hard it can be to face systems that weren’t designed with us in mind. My hope is that through this program, more Minnesotans living with Long COVID, ME/CFS, and energy-limiting illness can get the help they deserve at home.

If you or someone you know in Minnesota is living with an energy-limiting illness and could use support applying for in-home help, I invite you to visit our program website to learn more and get started.

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Note:

The Minnesota Home Help Navigator cannot provide emergency or crisis services. For more on what our navigator can and can't do, please see the program FAQ.