Ep 139: From Misdiagnosis to Advocacy: Jacqueline Cuevas Finds Her Voice

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.