Dystonia is a lifelong condition

Dystonia is a lifelong condition, and I mention this because Tyler and Samantha face challenges every day that many of us may not even notice. In my previous update, I shared some of the difficulties Samantha has been encountering, and I want to acknowledge her incredible perseverance. Despite the hurdles, she remains determined not to let dystonia define who she is, and that is truly inspiring.

Since her battery replacement with the newer technology, Samantha has struggled with walking and maintaining her normal daily routines. This issue has become more prominent as she continues working night shifts in the emergency room, where she spends around 12 hours each night on her feet. In addition to the fatigue and sleep deprivation that come with night shifts, she has found it increasingly difficult to move around as needed. Despite this, Samantha’s love for her job keeps her motivated, and she refuses to miss a day of work. However, she often feels disheartened when others notice her struggles and the difficulty she has with walking.

While many people might feel discouraged in similar situations, Samantha is facing these challenges in the most admirable way possible. She draws strength from her faith, finding empowerment through daily devotional readings. On her days off, she travels to Gainesville for reprogramming sessions, hoping to find the right settings to improve her condition.  Although so far these attempts have been unsuccessful.

As a result, Samantha is scheduled for surgery on April 17th, during which her old system will be removed and replaced with a new one. The new system will include updated leads and technology, and we are hopeful it will provide even better results than the previous system she has relied on for the past 17 years.

To ensure she can continue her professional journey, Samantha has applied for FMLA, as she is committed to maintaining her career and preserving the progress she’s made. One month after the surgery, on May 17th, she is scheduled to have the wires rerun.

Please keep Tyler and Samantha in your prayers, asking for God's grace and strength during this challenging time.

Thank you  


Rick