Jessie Smith- Inspirational Speaker, Athlete & Disability Advocate

My journey is one of resilience, transformation, and the power of embracing life’s unexpected twists. Since my diagnosis in 2014, I have faced challenges that have reshaped everything I thought I knew about life, and in doing so, I’ve gained life lessons I am passionate about sharing with others. My illness, a rare and incurable autoimmune disease, has left me partially hemiplegic. I have endured countless rounds of inpatient treatments, re-learnt how to walk, and have adapted to a new way of living.

What I didn’t expect to experience was the deep grief for the life I had “lost”—the life I had imagined for myself before I fell ill. It felt strange at first to grieve something that hadn’t physically died. But through research and reading others’ stories, I realized this was completely normal. I wish I had known this earlier, and now, I share this part of my journey in the hope it might help someone else who is struggling with similar feelings. It’s important to understand that grieving what you’ve lost doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it’s part of the healing process. And in my own experience, that healing has been filled with deep lessons.

The mental challenges and the dark places I’ve visited through this process are things I’m willing to talk about. I want to share how I found my way back from those moments and learned the bravery of asking for help when needed. Whether you're facing a chronic illness, loss, or just feeling stuck, I believe the lessons I’ve learned along the way can be applied to many aspects of life.

Riding horses has always been my passion. I started at the age of 5, and despite the physical limitations brought on by my illness, my love for riding never faded. While some in my audience may not have direct experience with horses, the lessons I’ve learned overcoming obstacles to return to State and National-level competition in able-bodied dressage and show horse are universal. It is a mix of early mornings, training in all weather conditions, and the highs and lows of competitive sport—all of which have shaped my character. The journey to recovery has taught me that no matter how difficult life gets, with determination and perseverance, you can still find a way to pursue your passions.

Even though I now live with the effects of partial paralysis of my right side, I’ve been able to adapt my riding and return to the competitive arena. This is a testament to the strength and resilience we all have within us, no matter what challenges we face.

I am also a passionate Disability Inclusion Facilitator, using my lived experience to raise awareness about the obstacles faced by those living with disabilities in a largely inaccessible society. I work with organizations to help improve disability inclusion in the workplace and broader community by providing proactive solutions to remove barriers.

Through all the hardship, my horses have given me a sense of purpose during the toughest moments of my life. I understand that not everyone can relate to my journey with horses, but the lessons I’ve learned—about overcoming adversity, finding strength in vulnerability, and pursuing your dreams despite the odds—are lessons that everyone can use. It’s okay to feel sadness, to grieve, and to want to give up at times. But I’m here to remind you that it’s also okay to rise from those moments and turn them into something powerful.

I hope my story inspires you to keep going, to find your own path, and to see that it’s possible to turn a painful situation around—even when the journey seems impossible. With passion, determination, and a willingness to accept the highs and lows, anything is possible.

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