Episode Details

Have you ever been told one thing, but it turned out that the truth was completely different? Can you imagine being told that you have a debilitating disease that you never had?

Today, we speak with Jean Abbott, a resilient woman with a mind-blowing story. Jean was misdiagnosed as a young child with Spastic Diplegia, a form of Cerebral Palsy

After 33 years of countless doctors visits, medical procedures, unnecessary medications she was correctly diagnosed with Dopa Responsive Dystonia (DRD) and given a new chance of life.

In this discussion, you'll hear...

-Why Jean says she would go through it all over again...04:30

• Always wanted to show people that they could stay positive despite their physical limitations
• Over 25 people got a correct diagnosis from hearing Jeans story

-Jean's faith journey...06:40

• Jean accepted her debilitating condition and continued to trust God
• "When I think about the positives in my life, that's when I realize how blessed I really am"

-The effects of Jeans diagnosis on her family and growing up...08:20

• Decided from a young age that she could still do everything all the other kids could do, but maybe just a little differently
• She had 2 older brothers and nobody ever babied her

-How to shift limiting beliefs...10:15

• Change prayer focus and how you're going about being close to God
• Devotionals
• Daily readings from Crushing by T.D. Jakes

-Jeans initial symptoms and diagnosis story...11:30

• Diagnosed around age 4 with cerebral palsy
• Limited mobility with legs and arms
• Sleep was a huge factor in symptoms
• Symptoms worse as she was getting older, which is abnormal for Spastic Displesia
• After having children, her symptoms were getting worse because sleep was declining
• Had to use mobility scooter
• No spasticity, no rigidity, lost all mobility that she had, couldn't even sit up in a chair
• Depression and anxiety set in
• Daughters were putting her to bed every night
• Started going to counseling with depression and anxiety
• Went back to another doctor and was told that something seemed strange and recommended a Neurologist
• Went to see new Neurologist and when she talked about the effect of her sleep. The doctor immediately said she thought she had DRD. Prescribed some medication
• Jean almost refused medication because she was in such disbelief
• Jean had new medicine and glass of wine at dinner that night and was able to walk alongside her husband to the car
• 3 days later, on Easter Sunday (at 33 years old) she was standing in a parking lot without holding on to anyone (first time in a decade), that's when I realized my life had changed
• Connection to God in that moment that she had never experienced before
• Amazing calmness came over her
• Everything was scary but she wasn't going to let fear affect her
• New doctor: Dr. Martha Nance

-Jean's best advice for those struggling with debilitating diseases...20:50

• Trust that God has a plan for each and every one of us
• If we hold on to the bitterness and hatred, we will be imprisoning ourselves
• Try to reach acceptance for what we cannot change
• Take things day by day or even hour by hour

-How the family responded to Jean's new diagnosis...22:05

-The importance of accepting support during hardship...23:50

• "If you let me help you, you're actually giving me a gift"

-Advise on asking for support...26:00

• Be as open as you possibly can to let them in
• If you say 'no,' you're pushing them away
• Jean's website

-How to develo