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Kristina Cook's story will stop you in your tracks. Diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, an incredibly rare brain tumor affecting just 0.02% of the population, her journey reveals what true resilience looks like in the face of overwhelming odds.

For six years, Kristina struggled with symptoms misdiagnosed as depression and anxiety before an MRI revealed the truth. What followed was unimaginable – five brain surgeries (including two emergency operations just days apart), a stroke that left her with right-sided weakness, vision loss, and the challenge of relearning to walk. Add to this a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder combining schizophrenia with bipolar symptoms, and you begin to understand the mountains she's had to climb.

Yet sitting across from us today is a woman who radiates positivity. Working full-time as an early childhood educator, tackling CrossFit four days a week, and speaking openly about her journey, Kristina embodies what it means to refuse to be defined by your diagnosis. Particularly moving is the relationship between Kristina and her husband Dave, who serves as her "memory keeper" due to her fragmented recall of many traumatic events. His unwavering support through her darkest moments offers a profound lesson in what partnership truly means.

Kristina's wisdom is beautifully simple yet powerful: "No matter how dark it gets, just keep walking." Like Dory from Finding Nemo, she just keeps swimming, showing us that even with the heaviest burdens, forward movement is always possible. If you're facing challenges that seem insurmountable or love someone who is, Kristina's story will remind you that light exists even in the darkest places – you just need to keep walking toward it.

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