I was a competitive cheerleader—strong, resilient, and determined to succeed athletically. Then, in 2019, after being diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), my body started sending me signals I couldn’t ignore.

2021 hit hard. I got COVID and mono at the same time, and suddenly I ended up in the ER multiple times with no answers. My symptoms were worse than ever. Going from peak athletic performance to being bedridden felt like losing a part of myself.

For a while, I managed on my own. But last year, I finally got clarity. At the Cleveland Clinic, my neurologist confirmed that I had POTS through a tilt table test. Soon after, I learned I also have mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Finally, my struggles had names.

Today, I’m living a dream I never imagined: working at a children’s hospital, helping kids receive treatment for conditions like mine. Some of them even have EDS and POTS. It feels like my calling—to turn my challenges into hope for others.

Life with POTS and MCAS isn’t easy. Flare-ups happen. ER visits still happen. But I’ve learned resilience, patience, and gratitude in ways I never thought possible.