I am 33 years old, born and raised in Conakry, Guinea (West Africa). In 2013, I moved to the United States, specifically to Pennsylvania. Back then, I was an energetic young woman filled with dreams and ambition. However, in 2018, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with a severe illness—an autoimmune disease that ultimately led to a lung transplant.
Between May 2018 and 2019, I underwent several biopsies, resulting in various diagnoses, including the lung transplant in 2020, GERD surgery in 2021, as well as battling anxiety and depression.

I’ve come from a place of darkness, a point where I once considered giving up. But I chose to keep fighting, holding onto the belief and hope that I could become a better version of myself. Despite the challenges my new life brings—both good and bad days—I remain standing strong, positive, and determined to pursue my dreams, one step at a time.
To all my fellow survivors out there, no matter what you’re facing or have faced, know that you are not alone in this battle. You are strong, and no illness, trauma, or life challenge can break you. It may shake you, but it will never defeat you. Keep pushing forward.