The following is not only an incredible story, but it is also a glimpse of what happens when people recognize the personhood of someone and treat them the way God calls us to treat one another. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39.
I was watching ESPN’s Sports Center show with my husband when I commented on the smart female sportscaster Victoria Arlen who held her own with the male sportscasters. Then my husband told me she had an amazing story and I had to check it out for myself.
A LIFE-CHANGING ILLNESS
When she was 11 in 2006, Victoria Arlen developed two rare conditions: Transverse Myelitis (“a neurological disorder caused by inflammation of the spinal cord”) and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (” a neurological, immune-mediated disorder in which widespread inflammation of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) damages tissue known as white matter”) .
According to her website, she quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move and slipped into a “vegetative state”. The doctors thought she was a lost cause. “Victoria spent nearly four years “locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate.”
But she didn’t give up.
Amazingly, she was able to improve and according to the May 10, 2023 issue of People magazine:
“After winning gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games and getting a job as one of the youngest reporters at ESPN, she spent year in physical therapy relearning to walk (something doctors thought she’d never be able to do)— and then dance, placing fifth on Dancing with the Stars in 2017.
By all accounts, Arlen had seemed to triumph over her tragedy.
THE RELAPSE
But on March 17, 2022, Victoria had a relapse-her worst fear.
But because her relapse of just the transverse myelitis was recognized early, doctors were able to treat her and prevent lasting paralysis. But her recovery was “grueling”, learning to sit up and take steps again with daily rehab.
She said, ”I needed to prove to myself that I was going to be okay” and ”I keep believing in miracles. I choose to have faith that I’m going to be okay, and I choose to have hope that things are going to continue to get better.”
She continued to have nerve pain but is now back at ESPN’s Sports Center and says, “I’ve been given another second chance, and I make a conscious effort now more than ever to appreciate every single moment. Because in the blink of an eye, it can be taken away.”
Her webpage reveals that:
“Victoria is also the Founder and Co-Chair of Victoria’s Victory Foundation, a nonprofit that assists those with mobility related disabilities. Since 2017, VVF provided over half a million dollars in scholarship funds to those who need it most.
Victoria’s book titled, Locked In, hit stores worldwide in August of 2018 as well as her 30 for 30 [ESPN’s 30 one hour films in celebration of their 30th anniversary in 2009] titled Locked In, that Victoria narrated and produced. Victoria continues to share her story on various speaking tours throughout the world.”
CONCLUSION
Ms. Arlen ends her story with an inspirational message that should touch all of us – especially healthcare providers:
“Heroes in real life don’t wear masks and capes. Sometimes they don’t stand out at all. But real heroes can save a life or many lives just by answering the call in their heart. In the darkest period of my life, when I couldn’t help myself, my heroes were there. … Sometimes we just need someone to lean over and whisper, ‘You can do it!‘” (Emphasis added)
Used with permission
A Nurse’s Perspective on Life, Healthcare, and Ethics