Choose Your Language:
Posted by: The Sumaira Foundation in NMO, Patient, Voices of NMO
In 2019, I discovered a surprising new passion for running, completing 35 5Ks in 35 weeks and finding it to be an unexpected and rewarding outlet. But just a year later, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, my world shifted when I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare autoimmune disease targeting the central nervous system. Months after being diagnosed, a relapse on a treatment drug left me partially paralyzed— It was as if the sense of freedom and fulfillment I had gained was abruptly taken away.
Despite the odds, I held onto a simple yet profound hope: that one day, I’d be able to run again.
Physical therapy became my starting line. A little over a year after regaining my independence, I began running in small increments, first during therapy sessions and then in the evenings after work. It wasn’t easy, but every step brought me closer to my dream.
By March 2023, I committed to a bold goal: running a marathon. In November of that year, I crossed the finish line at the New York City Marathon—my first marathon. The experience sparked a fire within me. Less than a year later, in October 2024, I completed the Chicago Marathon, and just three weeks after that, on the anniversary of my NMO diagnosis, I ran my third marathon back in NYC.
Three marathons in one year.
Running is more than just a physical act for me. It’s my way of moving forward—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Each run reminds me of how far I’ve come and how much strength I’ve discovered in myself. It’s also a way to connect with and inspire others, encouraging them to find their own paths to healing and wellness.
The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every mile. Running gave me back my independence, and it keeps me grounded, challenged, and hopeful.
Every finish line is proof of what’s possible, no matter the obstacles.
Love always, Marion Jones
NMOSD patient, TSF Ambassador of Illinois, marathoner and believer.
