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In early August of 2021, I was diagnosed with GuillainBarré Syndrome (GBS) – a rare autoimmune disorder. My own immune system damaged my nerves, which left me paralyzed in my legs, arms, and face. Luckily, my lungs have been only slightly affected.

I’m finally well enough to start sharing some of what has happened and what’s to come. I want to honor this moment as an opportunity to be transparent and vulnerable. 

This is my journey of healing and growth as I navigate life after being diagnosed with GuillainBarré Syndrome.

December 6

Cacao, Mushroom, and the Sun

More gratitude! While I was in my wheelchair I tried to get as much sun as I could. Thankful for the sun  And most of the time I had a cup of cacao with amazing herbal mushrooms (Lion’s Mane especially, because it helps so much with nerve damage.)
November 29

Our Lives are Made of Moments

I know I keep saying this, but finding gratitude in the small things (to me) are equal, if not greater, than being grateful for the big things. Really, I strive to find gratitude in all things. In the picture, I’m relaxing in the sun. Gratitude for the sun’s warmth, light and energy. It truly feeds life and healing.
November 22

Should I just keep my beard?

I’ve had a few beards over the years, yet I typically keep a shaved face. I thought maybe I’d shave. This was a big workout for me. The hand-eye coordination took a lot of focus and I forgot about all the funny faces I make to get the harder spots.
November 15

To Become a Good Walker…

It is amazing to notice something that normally is so simple and unthought of, now takes much thought and effort. I am grateful for the progress I’m making. My physical therapist said, “In order to become a good walker, you must first be a good stander.”
November 8

Take Time for Breaks

Taking lots of breaks has been a big part of my life over the last 5-10 years. Before that I worked till I couldn’t. Now I am on extreme break mode. The recovery from this has been exhausting. Doing the simplest things are big workouts
November 1

The Little Details…

Being stuck in bed is not my thing. I’ve been such an active person in my life. My Mom once said she tried to put me in front of Sesame Street, looking for a break, and I wouldn’t have more than a minute of it, before I ran off. My adult life hasn’t changed much. I like to move my body everyday. Being paralyzed and stuck in bed was one of the hardest parts of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
October 25

Feel Your Feelings

I’d be lying if I said Guillain-Barré Syndrome has not been emotional for me. I have, for the majority of the time, kept as positive as I can. With that said, this syndrome has brought me to tears… more than once and I don’t think it is a bad thing. Feeling our emotions is a good thing! For one thing, feeling anything was something I was grateful for as I had lost movement in my physical body.
October 18

Where There is Life, There is Growth

Growth is a core value of mine and my company. All of life is learning. During this time I have been forced to learn a lot. Two big areas of my life and learning that I typically let slide have been asking for help and patience.