Brain
Stories

Michele is a vibrant and successful woman who has enjoyed a fulfilling career in healthcare and nutrition. She was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa in 1981. At the time, little was known about the disorder, and her treatment was limited to the technology of the day.  Michele notes, “Ignorance of the condition was very common.”

Meet Kara Moore, a mother of two who was once a licensed interior designer working on million-dollar homes from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale. Kara suffers from epileptic seizures resulting from a brain injury sustained from an epidural procedure during the birth of her son. 

Brooke is 26, with a degree in Social Work and a passion for visual art. Her mental health journey began during childhood, and she has experienced periods of depression since then. Brooke’s upbringing steered her away from dealing with the issue.

Meet Steph, a 25-year-old social media manager, and content creator. She is a high-functioning individual who has always been good at completing tasks requiring periods of immense focus. She is charming, witty, and a great conversationalist. At 17, Steph was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder. 

Deborah Hunt reached out to UBA and wholeheartedly shared her story of her husband’s life and his tragic diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease. She notes how both his parents had it and that both herself and David were their caregivers until they passed. 

Peter Marshall was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 53 in 2018 after his wife and caregiver, Lisa, noticed his memory issues and cognitive decline. Within just three years his disease progressed aggressively, requiring around-the-clock care.

Meet Joshua McCune. Josh’s brain story is an inspirational one filled with courage and resilience. Nearly three years ago, Josh was in a horrific motorcycle accident resulting in severe physical injuries and a less tangible but equally severe traumatic brain injury.

Mike Rubesch is a father, husband, and a successfully retired soccer coach. Unfortunately, Mike is also afflicted by Corticobasal Degeneration, also referred to as Early Onset Dementia. In 2012, Mike’s daughter Justine explained that he began to exhibit signs of spatial disorientation and other minor cognitive issues.

George Metz’s Brain Story is an encouraging one: despite suffering from amnesia from an early age, George has led a successful, independent life. George speaks about the challenges of living with amnesia and the many accomplishments he has achieved despite the condition’s limitations. 

Mary tells a story about achieving a fulfilling life as a recovering alcoholic. She spoke candidly about her addiction, her path to recovery, and the struggles she faced combatting her addiction. Even now, after almost 20 years of sobriety, Mary is still aware that relapse is possible at any time.