Deanna Steinle was a professional diver, speaker, and PR professional before a diagnosis of generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) changed everything.
In this episode, she talks with Karin Wagner and Chris Burton about the four and a half years she couldn't be left home alone, the grief that hit a year after the crisis — not before it — and how she got back in the water with disability-certified dive teams starting in 2022.
She also shares the question she now asks herself before opening up to anyone about her diagnosis, and the two-weeks-apart crisis (a burst pipe, then a totaled car) that hit in the middle of her diagnosis journey.
Get support and explore resources at: https://www.invigorateyourjourney.com
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:14 What is generalized myasthenia gravis
3:23 First symptoms and the road to diagnosis
9:03 The new normal — career, family, insurance
12:17 Four and a half years of not being left alone
14:17 Returning to scuba diving
19:32 Mental health during isolation
21:38 Going back to school at 2am
28:04 What advocacy looks like day to day
30:26 Redefining hope
34:04 Small victories and momentum
36:37 The pipe burst and the car accident
38:09 Helping others communicate their diagnosis
43:19 What Invisible Strength means to Deanna
45:00 Where to find Deanna
Follow Deanna: @resilience.is.beautiful
See her film on YouTube here.
🎧 Invisible Strength is hosted by Karin Wagner and Chris Burton, covering what it really looks like to live with autoimmune and chronic conditions — real talk, not just survival tips. New episodes every Wednesday.
If you're open to helping us reach more people, please leave us a review!
🌿Resources for your own journey: https://invigorateyourjourney.com
⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for education and shared experiences only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team before making changes. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
