Achieving Victory Alongside My Team

When I was 9, I had my first seizure. In the years following, I suffered from a rare and serious autoimmune disease, called anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

 

I experienced more uncontrollable seizures, autonomic dysfunction and movement disorders, along with many other symptoms. I could not do anything, and I mean anything. I was not able to move, walk, talk or eat on my own. I could not even move my eyes to blink or sleep for weeks.

 

Although I have no memory from when I was sick, my parents told me and showed me photos of the round-the-clock care I needed from all the doctors, nurses, assistants and therapists. I am so thankful for everyone at Children’s National Hospital, especially the Neurology team, and the experts who knew to test for this illness and treat it early. 

 

Four years after physical, occupational and speech therapies, I ran the entire Race for Every Child 5K in 2018 and crossed the finish line with the doctors who helped save me. 

 

Now, I keep moving toward my next goal, from improving my endurance in football practice to one day working in business and finance. I am grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to live the life I have today.