Hi, I’m Morgan, and I live in the beautiful red rock town of Sedona, Arizona.

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I grew up in New Jersey until I was about twelve years old, when my family moved to Arizona. Two things immediately stood out to me: the underwhelming schools and the absolutely stunning landscape. Eventually, I toured Verde Valley School and instantly knew it was where I belonged. I spent all four years of high school there, from freshman to senior year, shaping both my education and my sense of self.

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At the end of my senior year, a moment that seemed insignificant at the time changed everything. While my friends were joking around backstage at the theater, someone playfully pulled me, and I fell, hitting my head hard. I felt more embarrassed than injured and went to the nurse’s office, where a few basic checks were done before I was sent back on my way.

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The next morning, something felt deeply wrong. I woke up unable to walk, experiencing right-side paralysis. I knew I needed immediate help and insisted on going to the hospital. That decision marked the turning point of my life.

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I was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare condition affecting only about 18 out of every 100,000 people. Mine was especially complex, containing three aneurysms in dangerous locations. Because of the risks involved in treating them, I was told by doctors to go live my life.

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I was preparing to head to law school when, on May 30, 2021, all three aneurysms ruptured.

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I don’t remember much of the following month. I underwent a craniotomy, an intensive brain surgery in which part of the skull is temporarily removed to access and repair the brain. Afterward, I received two rounds of Gamma Knife treatment to address the remaining 25% of the AVM. Recovery was long and demanding. For nearly a year and a half, I committed myself fully to Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy.

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Healing became my full-time job.

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Today, I work part-time at the Sedona Heritage Museum, where I assist with inventory and enjoy connecting with visitors and staff. It brings me a deep sense of purpose and joy, something I hold with immense gratitude.

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Everything I’ve been through has reshaped how I see life, purpose, and myself. Surviving a rupture, a craniotomy, and two rounds of Gamma Knife treatment didn’t just change my body, it changed my priorities. I no longer measure my life by what I lost, but by what I’ve gained: perspective, gratitude, and a commitment to living with intention. I share my story so others navigating stroke, AVM, or brain injury know they are not alone.

 

This is my second chance, and I choose to live it fully. Alive on purpose.