Meet our #Warrioroftheweek, Jamilly Kely Serra Sousa💙
Spotlight on: Jamilly
Hi, my name is Jamilly. I’m from Brazil, from the city of São LuÃs do Maranhão, and I’m only 19 years old. I don’t speak English, so I apologize for any mistakes.
Today, after a long time, I finally found the courage to share everything that happened to me in the last year. I’ve always seen the world the way I do, and I believe I’ve seen it this way since I was a little girl. However, I used to think that everyone perceived the world just as I did. I never considered that there might be something wrong with the way I saw and felt things. I always noticed peculiarities in my vision, particularly because it often felt like I was viewing life through an old TV screen. I also experienced minor abnormalities like black or colored bands in my vision.
As I grew up, I started having severe migraine attacks, but I attributed them to my menstrual cycle. Until one day, I had one so intense that it worsened my visual snow, and it pushed me into a state of despair. I began having panic attacks and prolonged episodes of anxiety. I went for days without sleep, spending money on countless medical appointments, medications, and tests. Yet, everything came back as “normal,” with no apparent issues. I kept hearing phrases like, “Your eyesight is perfect,” or “It’s just anxiety.” It was somewhat comforting to learn that visual snow isn’t blinding or life-threatening.
Today, I’m doing much better. I’ve returned to work, have a supportive boyfriend, and I’m attending the college of my dreams. Confronting visual snow required a leap of faith and represented the most courageous step in my life.
Ongoing psychological support is crucial, so please don’t neglect your mental health. A balanced diet, therapy, hydration, physical exercise, pursuing your passions, and having a strong support network can make this journey more manageable.
Let’s not let go of each other’s hands as we continue on this path toward treatment, and who knows, maybe even a cure. Visual snow didn’t stop me; it didn’t defeat me. Don’t let it define you either. We’re in this together!
