New beginnings | Mairin Ni Bheachain | TEDxGreystones Women

Key Concepts:

• MoyaMoya disease: A rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder causing blocked arteries in the brain.
• High-end membrane syndrome: A respiratory distress syndrome in newborns due to underdeveloped lungs.
• Stroke: Damage to the brain from interruption of its blood supply.
• Aphasia: Language disorder affecting the ability to communicate.
• Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
• Mindfulness: A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment.
• Personal Styling: Helping individuals develop their style and confidence through clothing and appearance.

Early Life and Initial Challenges

• The speaker was born prematurely and struggled with breathing due to high-end membrane syndrome, requiring immediate christening.
• Developed severe asthma as a child.
• Experienced a diverse range of interests, including art, photography, literature, sports, food, and travel, leading to varied academic pursuits (English, French, advertising, and marketing).

Onset of Symptoms and Misdiagnosis

• Around 2011, after having two children, the speaker began experiencing neurological symptoms.
• Initial symptoms included speech difficulties (e.g., saying "banana" instead of "nappy"), motor skill decline (struggling to push a buggy or cycle), weight loss, skin discoloration, and severe migraines.
• Progressed to losing power on her right side and experiencing incidents where she couldn't speak in the classroom.
• Multiple visits to doctors and specialists failed to identify the cause, leading to feelings of frustration and mental distress.
• Psychotherapy provided emotional support during this period.

Diagnosis and Brain Surgery

• Following regular scans, the speaker was diagnosed with MoyaMoya disease, characterized by 50% blockages in the brain's arteries.
• The only treatment option was brain surgery, which was described as degenerative.
• The surgery lasted nine hours and resulted in a major stroke.
• Post-surgery, the speaker experienced aphasia, losing the ability to speak.

Relearning and Recovery

• The speaker describes the brain surgery as "like they take your brain shake it up and give it back to you in a different order with pieces missing."
• Lost fundamental cognitive abilities, including recognizing numbers, letters, and basic concepts like "one plus one."
• Hired a private tutor to relearn reading and writing, starting with the alphabet.
• Faced a discouraging prognosis from the tutor, who stated that if she didn't learn to read and write within six months, she never would.
• The speaker's determination and refusal to accept limitations fueled her recovery.
• The recovery process took two and a half years and involved relearning everyday tasks like reading bus numbers, cooking, and recognizing currency.
• Her mother played a crucial role in supporting her recovery.
• The speaker emphasizes the dependence on others during recovery, which was challenging for her independent nature.

New Direction and Purpose

• During her recovery, the speaker decided not to return to teaching and sought a new creative path.
• Underwent neurological testing to identify her strengths and weaknesses.
• Studied mindfulness and volunteered as a personal stylist for a non-profit organization.
• Started her own personal styling business, which has been successful for seven years.
• The speaker's motto is "life is for living," and she encourages others not to let anything stand in their way.

Notable Quotes:

• "Like they take your brain shake it up and give it back to you in a different order with pieces missing" - Describing the impact of brain surgery on cognitive function.
• "If you don't learn to read and write within six months you never will." - A discouraging prognosis from the tutor that fueled the speaker's determination.
• "Don't let anyone ever tell you what you can or cannot do" - A statement reflecting the speaker's resilience and determination.
• "Life is for living" - The speaker's new motto, emphasizing the importance of embracing life despite challenges.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of determination in the face of adversity. Diagnosed with a rare disease and suffering a stroke during brain surgery, she lost fundamental cognitive abilities but refused to be defined by her limitations. Through perseverance and support, she relearned essential skills, discovered a new passion, and built a successful business. Her story emphasizes the importance of embracing life, challenging limitations, and finding purpose despite challenges.