Pictured left to right, Doug, Kayla, Ireland and Kim, who live with NMOSD are grouped together looking happy and smiling towards the distance.

Unstoppable Stories

Making connections and learning from others is so important when you live with a rare disease like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Through this collection of unstoppable stories, people in the NMOSD community share their challenges, triumphs and how they advocate for their own health.

Christine Ha, living with NMOSD is pictured looking forward while smiling and holding her white cane.

Christine's Story

Christine was born an only child in Los Angeles to parents who emigrated from Saigon following the Vietnam War. In 2003 at 23 years old, she was diagnosed with NMOSD and began losing her vision. By 2007, she was almost completely blind. Over the next several years, Christine retaught herself how to cook and found ways to continue doing the things she loves.

Kim, living with NMOSD is looking forward while smiling and holding her walking cane.

Kim's Story

Kim started to lose sight in one eye in 2020. Over the next six months, she continued experiencing symptoms and searched for an accurate diagnosis that would lead to her eventual diagnosis of NMOSD. As a mother, active member of her church and sorority as well as a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, Kim hasn’t let NMOSD stop her.

Doug, living with NMOSD is leaning against a colorful wall while looking forward and smiling.

Doug's Story

Doug experienced paralysis in his legs that he first thought to be the start of multiple sclerosis, a disease that his two siblings have. After additional testing, he was diagnosed with NMOSD in 2017. Over the next several months, he leaned on the support of his wife and caregiver, the doctors, nurses and aides as he relearned to walk. He drew strength from others and found a way to continue enjoying his life on his own terms.

Kayla, living with NMOSD is proudly sitting in her electric wheelchair while smiling and looking forward.

Kayla's Story

Like many in their thirties, Kayla was enjoying her life and planning her upcoming wedding. It was at this time she experienced her first NMOSD attack that left her numb from the waist down, making it difficult to walk. Over the next seven months, she connected with many doctors for an accurate NMOSD diagnosis. By the end of 2020, Kayla relied on her electric wheelchair to get around. Since then, she has found new ways to keep doing the things she loves, like being outside in nature and photography.

Ireland, living with NMOSD is leaning against a colorful wall while smiling and looking forward.

Ireland's Story

Ireland’s childhood was different from most of her peers. She was diagnosed with NMOSD at eight years old and she continued to have relapses until the age of 10, which left her partially blind. But that didn’t stop her from teaching herself to drive, graduating summa cum laude with her associate degree and continuing her education in medical sociology and creative writing.

Learn More About an NMOSD Treatment Option