Mariana's battle with TM
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My name is Mariana and I am a 17 year old high school student who lives with Transverse Myelitis and its detrimental effects for over 2 years. On January 31, 2015, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder called Transverse Myelitis which left me paralyzed from the neck down.
Following my initial diagnosis, I regained some movement in my body. I was diagnosed merely 5 days after my 15th birthday. As my peers live their teenage years to the fullest, I am preoccupied with doctors visits and improving my physical health while also keeping up with my vigorous AP classes coursework. What high school kid wants to worry about doctors appointments, therapy sessions, and medication when they should be discovering who they are? Certainly not me. Being dependent on people to perform elementary things for me seized my freedom and uncontrollably put my life on hold.
Although I'd like to say that Transverse Myelitis completely robbed me from my teenage years, I firmly believe God does everything for a reason. He put this arduous obstacle in my path knowing that I could overcome it. I would love nothing more than to prove Him correct. Jeremiah 17:14
Project Walk is a paralysis recovery center that provides an improved quality of life for people with disabilities through intense, activity-based recovery programs, education, training, and research and development. Their trainers and equipment are fully certified. They create a safe community so people, like me, aren't ridiculed for trying to improve ourselves.
I believe this program will help me regain control of my life by strengthening my core, balance, and endurance so that I don't have to rely on others to perform the simplest of tasks. I strive to be independent. Currently, Project Walk is not covered by insurance and neither my parents nor I have the financial funds to support my attendance of their program. I reach out to you, my beloved friends and family, to help me recover from this life-changing disorder.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Following my initial diagnosis, I regained some movement in my body. I was diagnosed merely 5 days after my 15th birthday. As my peers live their teenage years to the fullest, I am preoccupied with doctors visits and improving my physical health while also keeping up with my vigorous AP classes coursework. What high school kid wants to worry about doctors appointments, therapy sessions, and medication when they should be discovering who they are? Certainly not me. Being dependent on people to perform elementary things for me seized my freedom and uncontrollably put my life on hold.
Although I'd like to say that Transverse Myelitis completely robbed me from my teenage years, I firmly believe God does everything for a reason. He put this arduous obstacle in my path knowing that I could overcome it. I would love nothing more than to prove Him correct. Jeremiah 17:14
Project Walk is a paralysis recovery center that provides an improved quality of life for people with disabilities through intense, activity-based recovery programs, education, training, and research and development. Their trainers and equipment are fully certified. They create a safe community so people, like me, aren't ridiculed for trying to improve ourselves.
I believe this program will help me regain control of my life by strengthening my core, balance, and endurance so that I don't have to rely on others to perform the simplest of tasks. I strive to be independent. Currently, Project Walk is not covered by insurance and neither my parents nor I have the financial funds to support my attendance of their program. I reach out to you, my beloved friends and family, to help me recover from this life-changing disorder.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Organizer
Mariana Soto
Organizer
Ontario, CA
