In early February, I woke up one morning with complete facial paralysis on one side of my face. The day before, I’d experienced a severe earache, and after seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with otitis media and Bell’s Palsy. I was prescribed antivirals and cortisone, but the ear pain persisted. Two weeks later, a second practitioner correctly diagnosed me with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. I was surprised to discover how little is understood about this condition, even among healthcare professionals. Thankfully, through an ENT referral, I was able to see Carianne. From our first appointment, she helped me make sense of my diagnosis and guided me in understanding the condition more deeply. Her support empowered me to take an active role in my own recovery and become, in many ways, my own therapist. I am truly grateful for Carianne’s knowledge, compassion, and the clarity she brought to what was a very confusing and frightening experience.

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Lynda Nieuwoudt