“ People often assume that because I ’ m in a wheelchair I must be unhappy or in need of pity or advice . That ’ s not the case . . . ." trying to grasp what was happening ," she recalls the pivotal night that led her eventually to an MS diagnosis .
A turning point : from despair to coaching The initial years post-diagnosis was marked by denial and a fierce determination to maintain normalcy . She chose initially to keep her struggle private , focusing on her career and life , embodying strength and resilience . “ I didn ’ t want MS to define me . I wanted to define myself ,” she states .
Anna continued to climb the corporate ladder , achieving high career milestones , albeit underpinned by an ongoing battle with her body . It was only after a clinical trial for stem cell therapy failed to halt the progression of her disease leaving her reliant on a wheelchair , that Anna confronted her new reality head-on .
" It was a profound turning point ," Anna shares . " I lost my mobility , but I found a new path ." That path led her to the spiritual and life coaching communities , where she discovered the resilience and inner peace that had eluded her . " I realized that my happiness wasn ' t tied to my physical abilities or my professional achievements . It came from within ."
Multiple Sclerosis ( MS ) is notoriously deceptive ; it masquerades as an invisible illness , yet its impact is palpably visible in the lives it touches . " Everyone with MS experiences it differently ," Anna Giannakouros explains , her voice steady and insightful . " For some , it remains unseen because symptoms vary depending on where lesions are in the brain . But make no mistake , it can escalate to visible disabilities ."
Fifteen years ago , Anna led a dynamic life in the software industry , unaware that her world was about to change . A sudden fall during a routine jog leaving her unable to feel her legs , was the harrowing start of her diagnosis journey . " It was terrifying . I lay there , isolated ,
Today , Anna is a life coach , inspired by her journey and driven by a desire to empower others . " I had to transform from within first ," she insists . " You can ’ t teach resilience without living through the storms yourself ."
Changing perceptions : disability and happiness One of the most significant challenges Anna faces is the misconception about living with a disability . " People assume that if you ' re disabled , your life must be tragic . That ' s far from the truth ," she asserts . This misunderstanding is something she encounters often , even at social events where reactions range from unwarranted pity to misguided admiration .
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