I once heard Hunter Pinke say that he doesn’t ask, “Why me?” rather he asks, “Why not me?” (If you don’t know Hunter’s story, Google him, and I dare you to watch any one video interview of him without a Kleenex. He’s a superhero.). I too understand and accept that really bad and crummy things happen to good people. When someone asks me the nuanced question of “How did you get this,” I usually respond with, “Just my good luck, I guess.” There is no answer as to why with my AE.

78 Brain Walkers! Yes, you read that correctly, seventy-eight people were red-y and walking for #Red4WED, in the second annual Bismarck (virtual) Brain Walk. We had people walking in North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona, and Canada to raise awareness about autoimmune encephalitis. For the second year in a row, it looks like the Bismarck Brain Walk was the largest gathering in the world! Whoop whoop! Each day, I feel so humbled by the work that JM Stebbins is doing for such an

“Princesses, they’re just like us.” My friend Christina once commented that on Facebook, under a picture of Princess Kate. You know, the most beautiful woman in the world. The one whose three children always look clean and like angels. The one who stepped out of the hospital in a slim fitting dress and heels the day after giving birth to her first child. I remember slowly walking out of the hospital in sweats, days after I had my first born, wondering if I’d ever be able to s

February 22, 2021, is World Encephalitis Day (WED)! In honor of WED, please join Jackie in the second annual Bismarck Brain Walk. Last year, nearly 100 people joined Jackie and her family at the YMCA to walk and raise awareness about autoimmune encephalitis. It was one of the largest Brain Walks in the world! This year, because of Covid, the Brain Walk will take a virtual route. To JOIN the Brain Walk, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS: 1) Grab your walking shoes; 2) Wear RED; 3) Enjoy a

This photo of me was taken at the Mayo Clinic, on November 6, 2018. It was at the height of the dark days of my recovery from autoimmune encephalitis. I was back at Mayo to rule out having breast cancer, to deal with a few new diagnoses, and to see my brilliant autoimmune neurologist, Dr. Andrew McKeon. I was on heavy doses of daily steroids, and had been for months. I had many months to go. The steroids were doing what they were supposed to; they were suppressing my immune s

After releasing ONLY their 8th episode of the autoimmune encephalitis podcast, Brain Fever, Jackie and her producer/co-host/husband, Sean, exceeded 1,500 downloads! People all over the world are catching #BrainFever! Brain Fever is being downloaded in over 20 countries and almost 250 cities nationwide! Don't miss out. Make sure to catch Brain Fever where you find your podcasts. If you would like to join the podcast or have an idea for an episode, please contact Jackie at: Ema

Recently, Jackie enjoyed speaking to law enforcement administrative support professionals and University of North Dakota nursing students. She presented on conflict resolution and boundaries, and about autoimmune encephalitis diagnosis and recovery. If you would like to book Jackie to Zoom-into your meeting, group, or seminar, please contact her at: Email: jms@jmstebbins.com Phone: 701-471-2136 Direct Message: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #StebbinsStrong

Everyone has an idea and a way for me. I’ve accepted that’s just part of living with a monumental illness.

Jackie, along with her husband who is the co-host and producer, has an autoimmune encephalitis podcast called "Brain Fever."

Everything about autoimmune encephalitis scares the bee jeebies out of me. It’s horrible to face your own mortality, but also eye opening.

As my health improved, I became less fixated on life’s uncertainty, but I remain lonely.

Figuring out how to educate our children and keep them safe, is a big part of our new daily routine.

Please take away from this piece that I have some thoughts about coping with grief, not that I read old lady magazines.

As painful as it is, I’m now a card carrying member of the “Encephalitis Club.”