December 9, 2023
Neuroplasticity and the Potentially Detrimental Effects of a Pain Chart
What pain scoring can teach the brain to repeat—and what I learned about attention, distraction, and building a life beyond pain.
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I started writing to show the world what I could do.
Walk With Bravery began in 2016—from hospital rooms, hard nights, joyful surprises, and a simple belief that my story might help someone understand or feel less alone.
Latest writing
Rare Disease Day
March 1, 2025
My fullest account of surviving two strokes and EGPA, finding a life-changing treatment, and turning pain into faith, resilience, and advocacy.
Read the full postA joyful chapter
Joy belongs in this story, too.
I write honestly about pain and the things illness has taken. I also write about the moments that gave something back: friends, laughter, music, and a prom night filled with the kind of joy I once thought I had missed for good.
Bravery is not only surviving the hardest days. Sometimes it is letting yourself be fully present for a good one.
Read “Best Prom EVER!!!”The archive
Every chapter, in my own words.
Older posts preserve what I understood and how I spoke at that moment in my life. Some historical medical and disability language may not reflect the words I would choose today.
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March 6, 2021
Reconnecting in a Disconnected Time
A night of friendship and connection that reminded me what it means to feel seen, understood, and fully yourself.
February 1, 2021
The Job of Finding Purpose
How one chance at Pizzability and Brewability gave me three things I had been searching for: hope, normalcy, and purpose.
January 29, 2021
The Best Comes Through the Worst of Situations
What hardship taught me about kindness, invisible battles, faith, community, and looking for what can still be gained.
November 3, 2019
Invisible in a Visual World
A personal call to believe people whose disabilities cannot be seen and recognize the ability hidden behind assumptions.
September 9, 2018
Neuroplasticity
How Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center helped me move from merely existing toward living again.
October 9, 2017
The Power of Positive Thinking
An honest reflection on pain, hope, faith, and why joy can still come in the morning.
April 25, 2017
Best Prom EVER!!!
The prom I once missed because of the hospital became a night full of friendship, laughter, roses, and joy.
February 4, 2017
Pain
A raw, historical reflection on chronic pain, failed treatments, difficult questions, and choosing to keep fighting.
July 17, 2016
Fundamentals of Caring
The difference between pity and real care: ask, listen, observe, help, and ask again.
July 15, 2016
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
What hospital discharge promises taught me about follow-through, disappointment, honesty, and faith.
July 14, 2016
First Singing Video
A duet with Dr. Bloom and one of the first creative moments I shared through Walk With Bravery.
July 14, 2016
Being Small in a Big World
Growing up with Russell-Silver syndrome, living through bullying, finding my voice, and learning that difference belongs.
July 13, 2016
First Blog Post
Why I started writing: to share my world, help someone else understand, and show what people never expected me to do.
July 13, 2016
“I think sometimes people don't think they can learn anything from a kid like me. I'm going to prove them wrong.”Visit the original WordPress blog