At just 24, Amanda Campbell from Melbourne received life-altering news: she had multiple sclerosis (MS). Once a fashion industry professional, later a sports kinesiologist and motivational speaker, Amanda’s world suddenly shifted.
“I was told there’s no guarantee I’d ever move again. I hadn’t responded to treatment. It was a waiting game. I might never walk again. I might never wash or feed myself again,” Amanda recalls.
Her first thought? A desire for family. “The first words that came out of my mouth were, ‘Can I have a family?’ I didn’t even realise how important it was to me. Then I excused myself and had a big, big cry,” she says.
For Amanda, it was a wake-up call. “It’s amazing how everything can change in one moment. I felt like my life was over, like I wouldn’t be able to achieve my dreams—or even do normal things like put on a pair of heels and go out to dinner.”
Before her diagnosis, she admits she hadn’t been taking care of herself. “I was out to enjoy life and experience as much as I could. I didn’t know what my future held, and I wasn’t looking after my body as a result.”
The Episode That Changed Everything
Amanda’s turning point came after a severe 10-day episode that left her completely paralysed.
“My face literally dropped, my arm twisted—it looked like I’d had a stroke. Washing and feeding myself became the hardest part of my day. Then my muscles started to slowly twist. It was painful. I was scared,” she says.
But in those dark moments, Amanda discovered her inner resilience.
“Being alone, when everything becomes dark, is when you find your inner strength, your light, and what you’re really capable of. That’s when I realised my inner strength.”
Defying the Odds
With the help of a new treatment, a team of specialists, and the unwavering support of her family—especially her twin sister—Amanda refused to let MS define her.
“I was a woman on a mission. I was first in at physio and last to leave,” she says.
Her determination paid off. From a 50/50 chance of walking again, Amanda was running in six weeks.
Watch Amanda’s Story
Amanda’s journey is featured in Recover/Me, a new five-part series that explores the emotional and physical road to recovery. Viewers witness the role of first responders, healthcare professionals, family, community, and even spirituality in helping people reclaim their lives after trauma.
Episode 1 is streaming now on social media: www.facebook.com/RecoverMeShow
