Christine Ha is a paid partner of Amgen’s NMOSD Won’t Stop Me campaign.

For Christine Ha—chef, author and MasterChef’s first blind winner—being open about life with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has become a key ingredient in building connection and finding support. Over time, she’s learned that vulnerability can strengthen relationships and that even small conversations can spark real understanding.

We sat down with Christine to talk about why conversations matter, whether at work, at home or in the doctor's office, and how speaking up has shaped her NMOSD journey.

Christine, when did you begin to see the impact of speaking openly about NMOSD?

Christine: For a long time, I thought silence was strength. I didn’t want to talk about losing my vision or what NMOSD meant because I was worried what people would think.

When I finally began sharing openly, it gave me a sense of relief and confidence I hadn’t expected. I realized that speaking up wasn’t a weakness. It was the first step to finding support.

Can you take us back to a moment during or after MasterChef when you realized your voice carried beyond the kitchen?

Christine: I remember one morning during production, as all of us were piling into the van to head to set, a fellow contestant turned to me and said, “Whether you win or not, your story is bigger than this show.” At the time, I didn’t fully understand what they meant. It wasn’t until later, when people living with NMOSD, vision loss or other challenges began reaching out to share their own experiences, that I realized the impact. They told me it meant so much to know someone similar to them was represented on screen. That was when I understood my story could ripple outward and give others courage to share theirs.

The most rewarding part of being on and eventually winning MasterChef wasn’t the title, but it was the platform I gained to advocate for others who may feel marginalized or voiceless. That, to me, has been the true gift.

What have you learned about the unexpected ways honesty builds connection in your own family or community?

Christine: Early on, cultural and language barriers made it hard to explain my symptoms to my family. The result was often silence and distance.

Being honest about what I was facing helped me reconnect with myself and the people I care about. For people with rare diseases, sharing your story isn’t just raising awareness. It’s about reclaiming your identity and inviting others to truly understand you and meet you where you are.

There are resources to help ease into these conversations, whether with family, friends, employers or new partners. What I’ve found is that people often ask questions I never expected and that’s how they start to understand my world.

How did you also learn to advocate for yourself with your doctors?

Christine: At the beginning, I had doctors who didn’t really listen, and that made everything feel harder. Things changed when I found a care team that didn’t just listen, they truly heard me. We’ve been partners for more than 10 years and that trust has been the foundation of my confidence and well-being.

My advice is don’t wait until things are really difficult to start talking. Keep the dialogue going from the beginning. Even small things—bringing a list of questions or using a discussion guide—help you make sure your voice is part of the conversation. It’s your life, and your perspective matters.

What would you say to others living with NMOSD who may still be finding their voice?

Christine: NMOSD is a lifelong journey, and your needs will change over time. Keeping the conversation going means your community can grow with you and support you for who you are, not just your diagnosis. Keep speaking up and reaching out. Your story has the power to help others too.

Watch Christine’s full video to hear more of her inspiring story.