Sherry's Story

I have spent most of my life surrounded by “God’s Country.” I was born and raised in the foothills of Tennessee, right there between the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains. It was the kind of place where majestic views were just a part of the everyday routine, whether I was out running errands, hiking a trail, or just spending a quiet afternoon on the lake. Living there felt like a constant blessing. I was also incredibly blessed to be raised in a family that didn’t just teach me right from wrong but truly taught me how to love God. Looking back, I can see how He was preparing me. He knew exactly how much I was going to need to lean on Him later in life, which I believe is why He called me to Him at such a young age. 

I still remember the April 1973 revival like it was yesterday. My much older cousin Charles Leonard, who then was in the early years of what became a life as a devoted Baptist Evangelist and church planter for over 60 years. He played a pivotal role in my faith journey. A year after he preached our grandfather’s funeral, he returned to our church to preach a spring revival. At eleven years old, his message moved me deeply, leading me to the altar. While his wife was the first to pray with me, Charles personally knelt by my side, ensuring I truly understood the step I was taking. Through his obedience and ministry, I accepted Jesus as my Savior that night, a gift of eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ. Charles involvement has given him a lifelong, special place in my heart. He recently passed from this sinful world to be with The Lord on my birthday in 2026 at the age of 88, a life well lived and I am certain he heard The Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that my path hasn’t always been a straight line. Like many of us, I had seasons in my young adulthood where I didn’t live according to His Word. I traveled some paths I shouldn’t have, and I definitely felt the consequences of those choices. But here’s the beautiful thing about God: He never once gave up on me. He stayed right by my side, and when I finally “came to my senses” and ran back to Him, He welcomed me with the widest open arms imaginable. 

For over 25 years, my life was a whirlwind of travel as an Air Force wife and mother. We saw so much of the U.S. and the world together, and I truly cherish the memories of watching my children grow up in all those amazing places. Eventually, the road led me back to Tennessee in 2008, where I stayed until February 2022. I have recently made the move to Central Florida, mostly for the warmer weather and better access to healthcare but my heart is full. My children are now amazing adults and parents themselves and knowing that they carry on in a good way is a great blessing.

Isaiah 54:10, which ties together the majestic mountains of my childhood with the unwavering faithfulness of God:

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” 

Psalm 121:1-2 is a perfect nod to those Tennessee views I cherish:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

My journey with Multiple Sclerosis began quietly in the late 1980s. Diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), my early symptoms felt mild compared to the mountain I climb today. Though a severe flare-up followed my initial diagnosis, it remitted after a year, granting me decades of relative stability marked only by minor flares.

That peace ended abruptly in June 2019. Following colon surgery, a wave of agony hit: my legs burned with a sudden, searing numbness. At first, my doctors and I dismissed it as a stress-induced MS flare-up. But the “flare” didn’t subside—it intensified. Within hours, balance gave way to paralysis and respiratory failure. As the symptoms cascaded, it became clear I was in immediate danger.

Because my brother tragically passed away in 2011 from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), doctors initially feared I shared his rare fate. I was medically evacuated to Winston-Salem, where a full-spine and brain MRI revealed a devastating landscape: seven lesions on my spine, two on my brain stem, and two on the back of my brain. The diagnosis seemed clear—my MS was back with a vengeance.

But they were wrong...

While the tests confirmed my MS had been “reawakened” and progressed to Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), that was only half the truth. They eventually discovered I had also suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury. This combination has left me with permanent residual damage, stripping away my core balance and strength, and leaving me dependent on heavy medication to manage violent tremors and spasticity. Without medication my ability to feed myself and do most basic functions is near impossible.

Today, MS is just one of six autoimmune diseases I battle. My doctors believe that because of the SPMS (Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis) that without the spinal cord injury, I would most likely still not be able to walk. Yet, as devastating as this progression has been, it was only the beginning of the nightmare. MS took much from me, but another tragic, irreparable event was waiting just down the path—one that ensured my life would never be the same ever again.

Before my MS flare in 2019, I underwent major colon surgery due to extensive damage from Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis. After a year of grueling infections, nine colonoscopies in 11 months, and multiple hospitalizations, surgery was the only option left. Surgeons removed a significant portion of my large and small intestines. At the time, I was adamant about avoiding a colostomy bag—a decision I now realize was a critical mistake. To reconnect my remaining bowel, surgeons used a fixation device to secure the tissue near my spine. While this method was accepted then, it has since been banned due to failures exactly like mine. Post-surgery, the device broke and migrated, eventually wedging between my C6 and C7 vertebrae. It cut into my spinal cord, resulting in a functionally complete C6/C7 spinal cord injury. 

My neurosurgeon believes this trauma may have been the “double whammy” that triggered my MS to become active. Ironically, they say the device’s path toward my spine saved my life; had it migrated toward my colon, the resulting release of toxins internally could likely have been fatal.

My physical reality is complex:

• Upper Body: I have sensation on the tops of my arms, but the undersides are paralyzed. My biceps have gained some strength through rehab, but my triceps, wrists, and hands are severely affected. I have almost no finger function, though I’ve learned to use reflex-based “tenodesis” grips for light items.
• Lower Body: I have no function from the center of my chest down. While I have used robotic suits and standing frames in rehab, doctors say that short of a miracle, I will not walk again on my own.
• Nerve Pain: In a cruel twist, while I cannot feel “normal” sensations, I experience intense, chronic nerve pain and spasticity. While these spasms help maintain muscle tone, they provide no help with mobility.

While my mobility has its limits, my joy in living is boundless. I navigate life in a wheelchair, and though the challenges are many, I make a daily choice to focus on the good and seek out the happy moments rather than the sad ones. I have found a new rhythm through rigorous rehabilitation. Between daily home exercises and three weekly sessions at a professional facility, I have made significant progress in adapting to this chapter of my life. This journey was made possible by the guidance of an exceptional physical therapy team.

I want to share the practical tips and coping strategies I’ve learned to show others that they are not alone. There is a full, vibrant life available to everyone, including those of us who rely on wheelchairs or scooters.

My mission has grown into a ministry. I am a Christian and a child of God, and I am determined to share how His Word provides the strength to cope with both a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Individually, we may feel weathered by the battle, but together—and through the strength of Jesus Christ—we are resilient. 

I trust that God will use my situation for good. My prayer is to be an empty vessel for His work, helping others draw closer to Him. I rely on Jesus to fuel my determination to remain steadfast, fighting for my own well-being and for the encouragement of everyone I reach.

God is not done with me

Living near The Villages, I am deeply honored to serve God alongside a church family that is, quite simply, an answer to prayer. When I look at my life, I am moved to tears by His grace; I feel unworthy, yet He continues to pour out blessings every single day. There is no doubt in my mind that God planted me exactly where I am to serve and to grow. My upcoming testimony will detail how He has held me in His arms and saved me in every way possible. After years of running from this calling, I am finally surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s prodding to share my story. I’m not just starting a blog; I’m finally getting it right.”

Hey there! I’m so glad you’re here.

If you’ve known me for more than five minutes, you know I’ve always had a pen in my hand. From scribbling in journals as a kid to recording the big “life stuff”—the mountain-tops and the valleys—writing has always been my safe haven. It’s where I can just be me.

But there’s one place my writing has taken root more than anywhere else: the margins of my Bible. If you ever saw my “library” of retired Bibles, you’d see what I mean! They are packed to the brim with notes because the Word is alive—every time I revisit a verse, God shows me something new. Looking back at those old notes is like looking at a spiritual growth chart; I can see exactly how my relationship with the Lord has changed, matured, and deepened over the years.

Lately, I’ve felt a tug on my heart that it’s finally time to stop keeping these stories to myself. I’ll be honest: the idea of putting my soul out there for the world to read is a little terrifying! This story is so dear to me, and being vulnerable is hard. But I know that with God by my side, He’s going to use this for good. Things are moving so fast now, and I’m honestly in awe of how He’s confirming this path at every turn.

I’ve finally reached a place of real contentment, and I owe all that peace to my walk with Jesus. My journey hasn’t been a straight line—I’ve had seasons where I was on fire and seasons where I wavered—but I am so thankful He never gave up on me. His unwavering love and forgiveness are everything. I don’t deserve it, but I’m so glad I finally chose the road He had waiting for me.

Thanks for joining me on this new chapter. I can’t wait to see what He does next!

Sharing our stories is one of the most powerful ways we can encourage one another and build each other up. Our faith is meant to be shared so that others can see the work of God in us and begin to see it in themselves, too

I’d be so honored if you’d join the conversation by contacting me or if you decide to share your story in your own way. I would love to read it.

• When have you seen God work in your life in a way that surprised you?
• What experiences have most shaped your spiritual life?
• Is there a “turning point” in your journey that you’ll never forget?

Don’t worry about having “extravagant words” just tell your story! I can’t wait to read your reflections and celebrate what God is doing in your life.

I am truly blessed First and foremost; I thank God for the gift of His Son and the salvation that gives my life hope. I recognize that every blessing and opportunity I have is a result of His grace; without Him, nothing I achieve would be possible