"Don't Google it." The doctor told me as he walked out of my hospital room. So, of course, I pulled out my phone and went directly to a google search bar. I looked up my new diagnosis- "Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). In April 2018, Google told me that my diagnosis would have made me blind or paralyzed within five years. I was devastated. I allowed myself to sit in that devastation, and it ignited a passion for learning everything I could about the disease. I soon discovered that this disease is not well known, and had appropriate testing and treatment been started sooner, I might not have accumulated this much disability. At this moment, I knew I had to do anything I could to stop this from happening to others. At the time, I had to halt my career- one that took a long time to develop. I had a successful business that I was preparing to take to the next level by opening a special needs daycare center in my local area. However, I could no longer lift the children or walk unassisted. In addition to my mobility issues, my recent attack came with new cognitive challenges. During my recovery, I had a lot of time to think. When you are in the hospital or suddenly isolated from the workforce, you are left primarily with social media and your thoughts. I much preferred my thoughts. Reluctantly, I joined social media groups targeted at NMOSD- while I found the content too heavy for me to bear while I was still so new to NMOSD, it is also an excellent resource. In early 2019, the Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation gave me the grant to attend their annual Patient Day. Between sessions, I briefly met a fellow patient with an organization of her own, Sumaira Ahmed. In our brief encounter, she told me about her plans to launch an Ambassador program soon and encouraged me to apply. So when I saw the announcement of this program, I applied. I was part of the inaugural Ambassador team for The Sumaira Foundation (TSF). Our focus was and still is to spread awareness about NMOSD (and now MOGAD as well), provide community support for patients and caregivers, and help raise funds to research novel treatments and a cure. Since starting my role at TSF, I have become a leading Patient Advocate in the rare disease community. I have joined legislative meetings to help guide lawmakers into making impactful decisions for rare disease patients and caregivers. Every year, I work with the community to secure Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month Proclamations from every state. In 2020, I became the Grants Manager for TSF, handling all things having to do with our funded grants. In addition, I launched TSF Book Club for anyone who likes to read and connect with others to talk about something other than our disease. 2023 I also began a new role as Ambassador Liason- managing the needs of our increasingly global team of 42 diverse Ambassadors. I am working towards a degree in Non-profit Management and hope that the knowledge and skills I gain can help me create a more robust, bolder team of impactful individuals around the globe aligned with the same goals. Alone we are very few, but together we can make a massive difference in the lives of many people who need our help now. On Wednesday, May 17th, I will be at the five-year mark that Google warned me about. When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals and keep pushing forward, nothing is impossible.