Jocelyn R Shepherd

My name is Jocie, and I am 24 years old living with multiple chronic conditions. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 14, just four months before discovering I was pregnant. Despite the challenges, I continued attending school until I began experiencing seizure-like episodes in class, which ultimately forced me to drop out. I later earned my GED in 2021.

I made efforts to work and attend college, but my health continued to decline. Two years later, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1. Around the same time, I experienced severe dizziness, difficulty navigating campus, and intense brain fog. One month after my narcolepsy diagnosis, I underwent a tilt table test and was diagnosed with POTS just four minutes into the procedure.

Since then, I have been unable to return to college. As a mother to a 3-year-old who looks up to me, it has been incredibly difficult not being able to do simple activities together—like going to the zoo, visiting an aquarium, or even making it to the park on difficult days due to flare-ups.

For a long time, I avoided the idea of using mobility aids. However, as my condition has worsened, I’ve realized I need to consider options that will help me conserve energy and prevent triggering my symptoms. I was discouraged to learn how expensive these devices are and how often they are not covered by insurance.

I have applied for disability, though I understand it is a long process. While part of me still wishes my body would function the way it used to, I am beginning to accept that this is my new normal.

After demoing the Zeen, I was amazed by how easy it was to use and how much it could improve my daily life. It would allow me to safely explore the world with my daughter, reduce my risk of fainting, and manage fatigue more effectively. I truly believe it would be life-changing and give me the independence I have been missing.