This week, as I reflect, I realize how far I’ve come and now i think it is time to share. My journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has shaped me into the person I am today. I want to share my story—not just for myself, but for anyone who needs to hear that no matter what life throws at you, you are stronger than you think.

My life changed forever when I was a young girl. I was a competitive swimmer. Swimming was my passion, when what seemed like a simple bout of the flu left me bedridden. What should have been a week-long illness stretched on, leading to a visit to the GP for medication. That’s when things took a turn for the worse.

I suffered a severe allergic reaction to the prescribed medication. My eyes rolled back in my head, and my body began convulsing. I got rushed to the hospital but, by the time we arrived, I had lost the ability to walk.

Doctors and nurses scrambled to understand what was happening. They stabilized me, preventing further vomiting and trying to keep me calm. A neurologist performed a CT scan but found nothing unusual. As a precaution, they prescribed steroids, adjusting the dosage due to my height.

Unfortunately, that adjustment led to an overdose. What followed were terrifying nights of hallucinations- clowns, dogs, birds, and paintballs chased me in a feverish haze. One night, my heart rate spiked to 200 bpm out of sheer terror.

It wasn’t until a junior doctor reviewed my case and pushed for an MRI—something my primary doctor had previously dismissed due to cost—that we finally had an answer. I was diagnosed with cerebellitis, a rare swelling of the cerebellum, typically found in infants. As a young girl, I had only a 20% chance of survival. My brain had swollen to a life-threatening size.

With the right medication, I slowly recovered and was able to return home by summer. But the challenges were far from over I had to relearn how to walk, write, talk, and even feed myself.

I hated being different. I was ashamed for people to see me in a wheelchair I despised that wheelchair. But more than anything, I wanted to be “normal” again.

Over the years, I worked with psychologists, took melatonin to regulate my sleep, and pushed myself to return to school. I never fully processed the trauma I was too focused on blending in. But the weight of it lingered, manifesting in years of depression and PTSD.

It wasn’t until I faced another traumatic experience later in life that I truly confronted my mental health. I had spent so long trying to prove that I was “fine,” that I never actually sat with myself and asked: Who am I beyond my struggles?

That question led me on a journey of self love and self-discovery. I started to embrace the parts of me I once tried to hide—the scars, the setbacks, the pain. I realized that my worth wasn’t tied to how well I could fit in or how much I could prove myself to others. Instead, it came from within.

I learned to appreciate my body, not for what it had lost, but for what it had endured and overcome. I learned to listen to my emotions, to be kind to myself, and to celebrate my small victories. Most importantly, I learned that healing isn’t about erasing the past its about making peace with it.

Moving marked a turning point. Everything seemed to click into place. I am no longer the girl who couldn’t walk. I no longer see myself as a victim of circumstance. Instead, I am grateful for my life, for the small moments we so often take for granted.

Today, I am smart. I have a family. I am here.

If there’s one lesson I hope to share, it’s this: appreciate the small moments. They are more precious than we realize. And above all, never be afraid to love yourself—flaws, scars, and all.

Next week, I’ll share more about the steps I’ve taken to grow, improve, and make the most of this opportunity. For now, I just want to take a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come—and to remind you to do the same. No matter where you are in your journey, your story is still being written.

Remember, it all starts with self love

– M