FIRE IN HER EYES PODCAST
A podcast about women who persevered! Stories and conversations with and about resilient women.
FIRE IN HER EYES PODCAST
Turning A Diagnosis Into Empowerment And Authenticity
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Brandie, a model and mental health advocate, transforms every "no" into a "yes" by embracing authenticity and defying societal limits. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 16 months, she redefines beauty and success through resilience and self-awareness. Discover her strategies for overcoming mental barriers and her vision for mental health advocacy. This episode is a powerful reminder that strength lies in mental fortitude and authenticity. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration to stand boldly in their truth
Hello, and welcome to Fire in Her Eyes. This is a podcast about women who persevered through pain to find peace and purpose. So if you're looking for a little inspiration and motivation to sustain you through difficult times, join us as we share stories of women who are empowered through pain and transform struggles into sweet success. I'm your host, Tanya Skaratsky. Today's guest is a woman whose presence challenges assumptions and whose voice creates space for deeper understanding. She's a Detroit-based model and a mental health advocate who was diagnosed at a young age with spinal muscular atrophy, SMA. But her story is not about limitation, just the opposite. It's about self-definition, it's about visibility, and it's about the courage to live authentically in a world that doesn't often allow for that. Today she's here to share her journey of identity, of mental health, and the fire that fuels her purpose. I am so honored to welcome her to Fire in Her Eyes. Brandy, thank you for joining me today.
SPEAKER_01Ah, thank you for having me, Tanya.
SPEAKER_00I'm excited. Thank you, thank you. I'm excited for our listeners to get to know you a little bit, just like I during our initial phone call. When I hung up feeling so inspired and so moved by your story. Um, in a world full of people who look at life from a woe is me perspective, you are quite the opposite. You have a way of turning no's into yeses, and no mountain is too big to move out of your way. You're determined, you're always positive. And I felt so energized after we hung up. So let's go back to the beginning. What was it like being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at such a young age? And growing up, how did SMA shape you or not shape you and your understanding of who you were?
SPEAKER_01So at 16 months old, um, my mom knew something was wrong. Not many doctors were able to find the issue, or they kind of just, you know, live past it. But my mom was determined to find the issue. Um, so one specific doctor found my diagnosis SMA. It's type two. So that means that over time the muscles deteriorate and weaken. Thankfully, um, about I want to say 2019 maybe, there was a new FDA drug approved, uh, called Spinrosa, which would reverse or keep the symptoms of SMA at a constant. So thankful I was a candidate for that, and I've been on it for about nine years now. My strength has improved physically, um, and then over the years, I think my SMA has made me more accepting, more open-minded, and not follow what everyone thinks is, you know, beautiful or valuable. So I think it's really shaped me for the better.
SPEAKER_00So the teenagers I think are especially difficult. Yes. Yes. Um, teenagers can be at times very catty, very judgmental, and have a very narrow view on the world. It's hard enough getting through high school trying to fit in under regular everyday circumstances. What was the adjustment like for you with an SMA diagnosis during those high school years?
SPEAKER_01So, all throughout elementary and middle school, and I want to say the beginning of high school, I always threw rejection. I was like, people aren't looking for what is me. So I just matched. I matched my environment to be accepted. I was a people pleaser, you know, I did anything, or I just stayed in a show, kept to myself. But then once I started putting myself out there and realized that I receive everything that everyone else does, I can't I can do everything everyone else does. Likes that cannot wait bear do not define who I am, and I do not want to pretend to be someone I'm not just to fit in a category that society thinks best. Once I realized that I can be who I am meant to be, I broke out of my shell and I realized that I am no different, and whoever cannot see that is not supposed to be in my light, anyways.
SPEAKER_00What empowered you to make this adjustment and perspective to shift your outlook and to say, no more, I'm not going to try and fit in. I am who I am, and that's perfectly fine. And be strong and courageous and bold enough to stand in your truth.
SPEAKER_01I think part of it was a very good support system. Um, I have the bestest friend ever. He has pushed me to be everything that I meant to be. Also, I think just my my f my regular friends, the people who I have in my circle, they push me to be who I'm meant to be. They would always tell me I would never change you. You're meant to be this way, you're meant to be who you are. And then once I began modeling and getting modeling opportunities, being paid to model, I think that's what really opened my eyes to like, wow, like I have these opportunities too. And the only person that can create my limits is myself.
SPEAKER_00So how do you define beauty now after your experiences and modeling?
SPEAKER_01Honestly, I think beauty is authenticity. I think it's believing in who you are, standing up for who you are, and staying in your purpose for yourself. Not trying to meet society expectations.
SPEAKER_00So, what drew you to modeling and what did that decision represent for you personally?
SPEAKER_01What drew me to modeling is proving to others around the world that no matter the circumstances, they can do anything that their heart desires as well. And again, every male leads them to your yes. So I wanted to be that proof to others to inspire them to go further with what they want and don't let their circumstances or anything in life hold them out.
SPEAKER_00Beyond modeling, you also have hopes and aspirations, and I think you're actually working on it, if I'm not mistaken, about raising awareness about mental health. Yes. How has your mental health evolved over the years while navigating a life with SMA?
SPEAKER_01I think that my resilience has definitely played a role because there's been so many life or death situations with you know sicknesses as SMA. People are prone to pneumonia, which leads to hospitalizations and you know, fluid in the lungs, make making it hard to breathe. So I've been in the hospital a lot, and I think that my resilience definitely kept me going. Um, I'm always reminding myself that life goes and leaves. There's always ups and downs, and I have overcome so much in my life that I don't deal with as much now as I did then. So I think the self-reflection and resilience is what matters most.
SPEAKER_00What emotional challenges do people overlook when they think about physical disability? Ooh, that's a good one. I I can tell you, um, I have my youngest son. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 10 and a half years of age. Oh wow. So he's going through puberty, and he ends up in the intensive care unit and ketoacidosis. Um, and his health care team rushed to take care of him, and we looked at all the numbers. His, you know, insulin and his insulin to carbohydrate ratio, his blood glucose, and everybody took such good care of him in addressing the physical aspect of the disease. But nobody mentioned anything about the mental health aspect of it. Dealing with a chronic disease that has no cure, a disease that has to be managed on a daily basis. So much emphasis gets put on the physical aspect of diseases, but not the same attention is given to the mental impact of it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, absolutely. I think that people often overlook it, like it's something they don't think about. Just like, you know, some people will complain like, oh, I broke my foot, I have to, you know, be on crutches for a month. When it's like I've never walked a day in my life. And you're overlooking the fact that you will walk again, even if it's in a month. You know, I've never walked a day in my life. So I think people really take for granted the things that they can do, even when they are pushed down a little bit, but they don't realize it's temporary, and there's people who can never do the things that you have the capability to do. So even with me, like when I was younger, I definitely would get upset think if I needed to take a shower, or if I needed to use the bathroom, or you know, have food, I would have to wait on someone else to be available to help me do those things. When people without a disability have the ability to do those things, you know, the second they want to.
SPEAKER_00What tools or practices help you to stay grounded on difficult days?
SPEAKER_01It really is just self-reflection and words of affirmation to myself. I tell myself I've been here, I've overcome this, or I will tell myself this is temporary. Like I always, always say life goes in waves. I have a wave tattooed on me to remind myself always ups and downs, but that doesn't mean that you will not get through the downs. I think life is about balance. Um, so without the downs, I think the ups would not be as important or as valuable.
SPEAKER_00I've told you this before that you're remarkable. You you are such an inspiration. Do you ever feel that pressure to be quote inspiring? And how do you navigate that expectation? That's good.
SPEAKER_01Honestly, my brain doesn't really go there. I kind of go through it like it's my purpose to shed light on others who don't see that light, which led me to be a future mental health counselor. I look at it as just helping others, inspiring others, because I think that people should not be hidden or they should not follow society. So I aspire to be that example for them to not be.
SPEAKER_00What does mental health advocacy mean to you in real everyday terms? And can you share with us a little bit about what you're working on in terms of becoming that mental health counselor?
SPEAKER_01Yes, absolutely. So I think the most, I don't want to say all, I think most mental health systems fail our community. I think people who fight mental demons are way too often labeled. They're over medicated, they're confined, they're thrown away from the world. And I don't think that's okay. Like people go through these things for a reason. There's a deep root to it all, whether it be genetic or chemical imbalances or the product of the environment they grew up in. There's still a reason, and I don't think that reason should be overlooked. I don't think these people who fight mental demons on the daily should be thrown away from the world. I think they're so valuable. I think that the problem needs to be solved, or at least navigated to where these people do not lose hope or lose their life. So mental health for me will be finding the route, working with the client or the patient to problem solve with them, navigate what they need looking at medication as a last resort. I want to show these people that they're still valuable, they still have hope in their lives, and just because they fight mental demons doesn't mean that they're not worthy of anything.
SPEAKER_00What would you say to a young person who's living with SMA and still trying to find their footing?
SPEAKER_01I would tell them what's in their heart matters the most. They are that way for a reason. I would show them that they can literally do anything, anything that they desire. I would tell them that you create your own limits. You really do. And I have shown myself that, actually, because like I mentioned earlier, I used to be that scared person too. But once I started actually creating my own limits, putting myself out there and not letting one know stop me, I got to where I wanted, and I'm still on that path to get even further to where I want.
SPEAKER_00So was there a moment when you could fully claim your voice and your power, or was it more an evolution, a process that took time and growth and experience?
SPEAKER_01It was definitely a process because I want to say not until 23. I would never post pictures of myself in my wheelchair. I was scared to do that. I didn't want anyone to know about it. But once I start the modeling job at the wedding shop, modeling bridal, and being posted, you know, on their websites, on their advertisements, I was being posted everywhere. And I realized that this is great. Like this is inclusivity. This is great. This is showing others that they can have these opportunities too. So I think once I came to that conclusion is when I fully opened the door. I love it. I wish I came to that conclusion much earlier. Honestly, because it would have been so much easier, so much sooner, because it was always stressful when I would meet someone new. Typically I would start talking to them online. So whether it be through Facebook or whatever, but I would wait until they got to know me to tell them about SMA. But I would do that because I would think, oh, once they get to know me, you know, they'll realize like who I am and not care. But then I was like, they can see it first. It's not something that's like totally abnormal. You know, it's becoming much more common. And if someone doesn't like what they see, that's on them. Honestly. It doesn't change who I am.
SPEAKER_00What do you think is the gift you received through the SMA diagnosis?
SPEAKER_01I think softness and patience. Definitely patience because lots of times I would have to wait on others to be available to help. There's been so much chaos in the SMA life and constant things that I would be put through, like all the hospitalizations and things like that. So I would have to stay calm and stay with I I call it organized chaos because you know, even though it's chaotic, there were priorities that had to be put forth, and I had to stay calm to get better for myself. So yeah, I would say calmness and patience.
SPEAKER_00Brandi, you're amazing. Um thank you so much. Thank you for trusting us with your story and sharing your truth. Just as I'm listening to you, I realize that your voice, your words remind us that strength is not defined by one's physical ability, but by self-awareness, by courage, by authenticity, and by mental fortitude. I I love how you are choosing to find opportunities and gifts and positivity everywhere you look. And the way you show up matters, and it makes space for others to do the same. And I hope that someone who's struggling, whether it's a diagnosis or a stressful life event, can find great inspiration in your story and in your journey. Thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you, Tanya. Thank you for spending time with me today. If you enjoyed this content, please make sure you subscribe to this podcast and leave a quick review to help us share the message.