Today’s guest is a very very dear friend of mine, Casie Bowry. We grew up doing surf life saving together, our Mums grew up doing surf life saving together - we've been friends a very long time.
Casie was a top water polo player representing New Zealand for many years, and was fast becoming a very well respected police officer. In 2018, life was ticking along nicely.
But in March of that same year Casie fell very ill, and was diagnosed with an extremely rare autoimmune disease, NMNDA Encephalitis. Essentially, her body was attacking her brain.
Casie was in hospital for over two years - including one whole year in ICU.
I, at times, did not think she would survive. And even when I thought she just might, I didn't think she would ever get her life back. She was so sick.
But Casie was so tough and so strong, and through determination and grit she made a extraordinary recovery. Her story is astonishing.