Transverse Myelitis (TM) is a rare neuro-immunological condition that causes the spinal cord to become inflamed.  This often results in paralysis, weakness, neuropathy, fatigue, muscle spasticity, bowel/bladder problems, and more. Transverse Myelitis can affect multiple parts of the spinal cord, meaning it affects different parts of the body as well, depending on the person. A lot of the time, Transverse Myelitis is idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. There are also a number of related disorders, including Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM), Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM).

Jen has Transverse Myelitis, while Sarah Todd has Acute Flaccid Myelitis, and they wrote 5k, Ballet, and a Spinal Cord Injury, Determination, and Up and Down to raise awareness about these rare, related conditions and share their stories.