In this special episode of the ESMRMB Podcast, recorded in recognition of World Rare Disease Day (28 February), Dr. Moss Zhao speaks with Jessica Asay, a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patient and imaging scientist.

Jessica shares her personal journey — from the moment she first heard the words “arteriovenous malformation” to navigating treatment, imaging, and recovery. In this thoughtful conversation, she reflects on what the medical community does well, what patients experience beyond the scans, and what she wishes clinicians and scientists better understood about living with a rare vascular condition.

This episode was edited by Aja Zou and Helena Durrant.