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My Body Has Limits. My Spirit Does Not
Hi, my name is Saida Mahoney, and this is my story.
I live with chronic paralysis due to my genetic disease called Partial Trisomy 8q Duplication Syndrome for short Partial Trisomy 8q.
I also struggle with my basic skills certain shoes and outfits are very hard for me to put on and handle due to my conditions.
Every day, I navigate a body that does not always move the way I want it to. My balance is severely affected. My motor skills and gross motor skills can make even simple tasks more difficult than most people realize.
There are moments when I lose my balance. There are times when I fall, I stumble and every once in a while my body will tilt to the side.
There are days when my body reminds me of its limitations before I even take my first step.
Living with chronic paralysis is not easy.
It takes patience.
It takes determination.
It takes courage.
It takes grace.
It takes getting back up—sometimes literally.
There are challenges that people see, and there are many more they never do. Every movement requires time and thought.
Every day requires adaptation. Every accomplishment represents persistence that often goes unnoticed.
But this is only part of my story.
My disability has never taken away my ability to dream, to love, to learn, to advocate, to lead, to create or to make a difference.
It has taught me resilience when life became difficult and painful.
It has taught me strength I never knew I had.
It has taught me compassion for others who face invisible and visible struggles.
It has taught me to celebrate every step forward, no matter how small it may seem.
I refuse to let my disability define my worth.
I am more than my diagnosis.
I am more than the challenges I face.
I am a writer.
I am an advocate.
I am a member of the disability community, rare disease community and paralysis community and I am proud of who I am and what I am.
Every fall has taught me how to rise again.
Every obstacle has reminded me that progress is still progress.
Every challenge has shown me that strength is not measured by perfection—it is measured by the courage to keep moving forward.
If my story helps even one person feel seen, understood, heard or hopeful, then sharing it is worth it.
I will continue to live my life with courage.
I will continue to advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and dignity.
And I will continue to move forward—one step, one victory, and one day at a time.
My body has limits.
My spirit does not.
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