08/28/2026
What People Don’t See About Living With an AVM…
What people see is me smiling, laughing, and going about my day.
What they don’t always see is the fear.
The uncertainty.
The endless questions.
The embarrassment.
The hiding.
The worry about what tomorrow may bring.
Living with an AVM isn’t something I can simply forget about. Even on the good days, IT’S STILL THERE. There are moments when I feel strong and hopeful, and there are moments when I feel scared, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
People may not understand what it’s like to live with something rare. They may not understand the constant thoughts, the research, the appointments, the decisions, and the hope for answers…
I’m fighting for more than just myself. I’m fighting for my future. I’m fighting for more time, more memories, more laughs, and more moments with the people I love.
But this journey has also taught me something…
I am stronger than I ever thought I could be.
I may have an AVM, but my AVM does not define me.
I will continue to fight for answers.
I will continue to raise awareness.
I will continue to share my story.
And most importantly, I will continue to hold onto hope.
Because sometimes the strongest people are the ones fighting battles that nobody else can see.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I am not done fighting for it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, listened to me, shared my story, and reminded me that I don’t have to fight this battle alone.
This is more than a diagnosis. This is my life. This is my future. And this is why I fight. 🖤
