Ep 139: From Misdiagnosis to Advocacy: Jacqueline Cuevas Finds Her Voice
About this episode
Jacqueline Cuevas discusses her journey from misdiagnosis to becoming a self-advocate for those with Functional Neurological Disorder.
Jacqueline Cuevas shares her journey as a self‑advocate living with Functional Neurological Disorder (previously known as psychogenic non‑epileptic seizures), a condition triggered by trauma and often misunderstood by medical professionals. Beginning with unexplained episodes at age 16, she spent years being dismissed and misdiagnosed, accumulating medical debt and emotional exhaustion before finally receiving an accurate diagnosis while pregnant with her first child. The condition has profoundly affected her life—causing mobility issues, memory loss, and the need for extensive support—but it also inspired her path into self‑advocacy. As the chair of Self‑Advocates of Michigan, she now speaks publicly, works with legislators, and pushes for greater awareness of hidden disabilities, cultural acceptance within communities of color, and more compassionate, person‑centered care. She emphasizes inclusion, open conversations about disability, and the importance of medical professionals treating patients with respect and an open mind.
More episodes of IDD Health Matters
- Ep 145: Personal Experience Driving Better, More Equitable Health Care for People With IDD
- Ep 144: From Immigrant Health to Disability Justice: Dr. Lauren Clark on Advancing Health Equity
- Ep 143: Improving Community‑Based Support Through Person‑Centered Quality Practices
- Ep 142: Charting the LifeCourse: Empowering Individuals with IDD and Families Across the Lifespan
- Ep 141: Mercer University Launches Comprehensive Health Center to Advance Care for Adults with IDD
- Ep 140: Tennessee Leads with Innovative, Person‑Centered Support for People with IDD
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