Victoria Arlen's Inspiring Journey: The Illness That Shaped Her Life
Fans of "Dancing With the Stars" have been truly captivated by Victoria Arlen's incredible story during Season 25. Throughout the show, she often shares details about her health journey, leaving many viewers eager to learn more about the Paralympic swimmer and ESPN sportscaster’s battle. Let’s dive into the details of her remarkable journey and how it shaped her into the incredible woman she is today.
Diagnosed with Rare Neurological and Autoimmune Conditions
Back in 2005, Victoria faced one of the toughest challenges of her life when she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These conditions left her unable to perform basic functions such as eating, moving, walking, and even speaking. Imagine being a young teenager and suddenly losing control over your body. That's exactly what Victoria went through, but she didn’t let it define her. Instead, she fought back with incredible resilience and determination.
View this post on InstagramThis moment, this dance… there are truly no words. For a decade, my chair was a symbol of pain, loss, and suffering beyond anything I could ever imagine. When I stood up a year and a half ago, I never thought I'd sit back down because it hurt too much. But tonight, thanks to my incredible friend and dance partner, that chair became a star in an epic foxtrot and a symbol of the fact that ‘I LIVED.’ #TeamViVa 🙏🏼 • P.S. Voting is still open until 8 pm (Click the link in my bio)
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A Young Warrior: Diagnosed at Just 11
At the tender age of 11, Victoria's life took a dramatic turn. She spent four long years battling these illnesses, a period that would define her teenage years. It's hard to imagine how tough it must have been for someone so young to endure such a challenge. But Victoria didn’t just endure; she thrived in the face of adversity. Her journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Trapped Inside Her Own Body
For four long years, Victoria was in a vegetative state. During this time, she was fully aware of her surroundings but unable to communicate or move. It was like being trapped inside her own body, a situation that would test the resolve of even the strongest person. The doctors didn’t expect her to recover, which was incredibly difficult for her parents, Jaqueline and Larry. But in 2010, Victoria began her miraculous recovery, re-learning how to eat, move, and talk.
Life in a Wheelchair Until 2016
After nearly a decade of paralysis, Victoria achieved the incredible feat of walking again. However, she never fully regained sensation in her legs, something she openly discusses on "Dancing With the Stars." Her journey from wheelchair to the dance floor is nothing short of inspirational, showing the world what perseverance and determination can achieve.
A Lifelong Dream: Dancing With the Stars
When Victoria was just 10 years old, she shared her dream with her mom: to one day be a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." Little did she know that just a year later, her life would change forever. During her illness, her parents would play episodes of the show to keep her spirits up, always reminding her of her dream. “When I was sick, my parents would remember that dream and put ‘DWTS’ on the TV so I could watch it. It was always a motivating factor to start my recovery, but I never imagined I would actually do it,” she told People. Her dream finally came true, and now she's one of the top contenders this season, dancing alongside her incredible partner, Val Chmerkovskiy!
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