In 2020, while the world was navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic, I was facing a storm of my own—one that would change my life forever.

I was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, or NMO. It's a rare, autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord—two essential parts of the central nervous system. At its core, NMO is a condition where the body’s immune system turns against itself. Instead of protecting, it attacks. In most cases, this attack is driven by a specific antibody—called AQP4-IgG—that targets aquaporin-4, a protein found on cells in the central nervous system.

What does that mean? It means the body mistakenly identifies this protein as a threat and launches a powerful immune response against it. That response leads to inflammation and damage along the spinal cord and optic nerves. The result: severe nerve pain, vision loss, muscle weakness, and in some cases—like mine—paralysis.

There was no warning. One day, I was fine. The next, I was losing control of parts of my body. I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t feel my legs the way I used to. My body, which had always been a source of strength and independence, felt foreign. It was terrifying. And in a time when hospitals were full and fear was everywhere, I was in a hospital room grappling with a diagnosis I had never even heard of before.

NMO isn’t just rare—it’s often misdiagnosed. Many people go months, even years, without the right answers. I was lucky to have a care team that eventually got it right. But even with a diagnosis, there was no simple path forward. Treatments exist, but there is no cure. I learned quickly that I would have to navigate this disease for the rest of my life.

But I also learned something else: that I could rise.

This diagnosis marked the end of life as I knew it—but it also marked the beginning of something unexpected: a deeper kind of resilience, a new kind of strength, and a purpose that would push me further than I ever thought possible.

I share this story not just to reflect on what I’ve endured—but to offer hope to others navigating their own storms. NMO may have changed my life, but it has not taken the power of my voice, the fire in my purpose, or the determination in my stride.

This is just a glimpse into my journey.

In my upcoming book, set to be released in 2026, I’ll share more deeply about my diagnosis, recovery, and the road I've traveled—from partial paralysis to pounding the pavement as a marathon runner. It’s a story of faith, fire, and forward motion.

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