If you’ve ever met Maggie, you know she’s a bright light — funny, fearless, and full of life. But behind her smile is a journey that has tested every ounce of her strength.
What started in 2016 as a routine effort to get healthy has turned into an unimaginable battle against a rare and crippling disease that ultimately took both her legs and the use of her hands.
Maggie’s Journey: A Timeline of Strength and Struggle
It all started in March 2016. Before March 2016 Maggie was walking and had full use of her hands.
She began with losing a significant amount of weight and noticed her feet and calves were swollen. During the year, her pain and swelling continued. Her hands began to curl, and walking became difficult. Doctors prescribed a high-dose prednisone with the initial diagnosis: Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). She was treated with a multitude of medications but nothing worked.
By January 2017 — Maggie working while in pain and having flare-ups and unbearable muscle attacks.
In April 2017 — She married the love of her life, walking down the aisle — not knowing it would be the last day she’d ever walk.
Just days after Maggie was hospitalized with pneumonia, prescribed an antibiotic that triggered catastrophic side effects, worsening her rare genetic condition and leaving her permanently disabled.
The remaining days and months of2017 — Maggie sought multiple treatments that failed, painful procedures, infections, and months of uncertainty followed. Her hands became disfigured, her legs contracted, and she lost mobility entirely.
From 2018–2020 — Maggie visited many hospitals seeking diagnosis and treatment: Johns Hopkins, UVA, VCU, and specialists nationwide. Misdiagnoses continued — from ALS to autoimmune disorders — until finally, she was told the truth: Maggie was born with an extremely rare disease.
The antibiotic she was given in 2017 permanently damaged her connective tissues and nerves, accelerating her condition beyond repair.
Maggie’s Words
“After four long years and a team of world-renowned doctors, I finally got answers. I was convinced I did something to deserve this — karma, maybe — but it turns out I was born with this disease.
The day I got pneumonia and was given that antibiotic, everything changed. My feet never worked again.
I miss running, dancing, giving high fives. Now I give ‘high elbows’ and roll around cheering instead. I still laugh — because I’ve learned humor is the only way through the pain.
I don’t want sympathy. I just want to live a life that’s full, accessible, independent and be able to raise my son.”
How You Can Help
Maggie has been incredibly strong through years of pain, surgeries, and loss. Maggie’s resilience the previous years she had been able to learn how to use her prosthetics legs, fly through unimaginable, pain and suffering while raising her wonderful son. She faces continued challenges With constant Daily pain, mobility, the need for long-term medical care and referrals to doctors who could help her and her family find the medical diagnosis and treatment she needs.
Maggie’s current health problem continue to create a financial crisis. Every donation will help cover expensive treatments, travel to medical appointments, doctors and hospitals, home health care with daily living support, caregiver assistance and expensive adaptive equipment.
Maggie’s Message to Everyone
“Don’t take life for granted. Walk, run, dance, love, and live — because you never know when one small mistake can change your entire world.
I can’t walk anymore, but I’ll keep rolling forward — with gratitude, laughter, and hope for what’s still possible.”
Please Donate or Share
Every donation, every share, and every word of encouragement helps Maggie move closer to a life of comfort and independence.
If you can’t give financially, please share her story. Your voice might connect her with someone who can help.
Thank you for being part of Maggie’s journey. Let’s help her roll forward — with dignity, strength, and hope
If you’ve ever met Maggie, you know she’s a bright light — funny, fearless, and full of life. But behind her smile is a journey that has tested every ounce of her strength.
What started in 2016 as a routine effort to get healthy has turned into an unimaginable battle against a rare and crippling disease that ultimately took both her legs and the use of her hands.
Maggie’s Journey: A Timeline of Strength and Struggle
It all started in March 2016. Before March 2016 Maggie was walking and had full use of her hands.
She began with losing a significant amount of weight and noticed her feet and calves were swollen. During the year, her pain and swelling continued. Her hands began to curl, and walking became difficult. Doctors prescribed a high-dose prednisone with the initial diagnosis: Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). She was treated with a multitude of medications but nothing worked.
By January 2017 — Maggie working while in pain and having flare-ups and unbearable muscle attacks.
In April 2017 — She married the love of her life, walking down the aisle — not knowing it would be the last day she’d ever walk.
Just days after Maggie was hospitalized with pneumonia, prescribed an antibiotic that triggered catastrophic side effects, worsening her rare genetic condition and leaving her permanently disabled.
The remaining days and months of2017 — Maggie sought multiple treatments that failed, painful procedures, infections, and months of uncertainty followed. Her hands became disfigured, her legs contracted, and she lost mobility entirely.
From 2018–2020 — Maggie visited many hospitals seeking diagnosis and treatment: Johns Hopkins, UVA, VCU, and specialists nationwide. Misdiagnoses continued — from ALS to autoimmune disorders — until finally, she was told the truth: Maggie was born with an extremely rare disease.
The antibiotic she was given in 2017 permanently damaged her connective tissues and nerves, accelerating her condition beyond repair.
Maggie’s Words
“After four long years and a team of world-renowned doctors, I finally got answers. I was convinced I did something to deserve this — karma, maybe — but it turns out I was born with this disease.
The day I got pneumonia and was given that antibiotic, everything changed. My feet never worked again.
I miss running, dancing, giving high fives. Now I give ‘high elbows’ and roll around cheering instead. I still laugh — because I’ve learned humor is the only way through the pain.
I don’t want sympathy. I just want to live a life that’s full, accessible, independent and be able to raise my son.”
How You Can Help
Maggie has been incredibly strong through years of pain, surgeries, and loss. Maggie’s resilience the previous years she had been able to learn how to use her prosthetics legs, fly through unimaginable, pain and suffering while raising her wonderful son. She faces continued challenges With constant Daily pain, mobility, the need for long-term medical care and referrals to doctors who could help her and her family find the medical diagnosis and treatment she needs.
Maggie’s current health problem continue to create a financial crisis. Every donation will help cover expensive treatments, travel to medical appointments, doctors and hospitals, home health care with daily living support, caregiver assistance and expensive adaptive equipment.
Maggie’s Message to Everyone
“Don’t take life for granted. Walk, run, dance, love, and live — because you never know when one small mistake can change your entire world.
I can’t walk anymore, but I’ll keep rolling forward — with gratitude, laughter, and hope for what’s still possible.”
Please Donate or Share
Every donation, every share, and every word of encouragement helps Maggie move closer to a life of comfort and independence.
If you can’t give financially, please share her story. Your voice might connect her with someone who can help.
Thank you for being part of Maggie’s journey. Let’s help her roll forward — with dignity, strength, and hope
