Roberta Rodrigues, a 33-year-old physiotherapist from Santa Fé de Goiás, has faced the formidable challenge of becoming quadriplegic five times throughout her life, all stemming from a rare autoimmune neurological disease. Despite these setbacks, which have forced her to pause her studies, career, and personal plans multiple times, Roberta has shown remarkable resilience by returning to walking, working, and even running after each episode. She is not only a survivor but also serves as an inspiring example of human grit in the face of adversity.

Roberta graduated from the State University of Goiás (UEG) and has established herself as an intensive care physiotherapist. She excelled academically, achieving top positions in residency and federal selection processes, and now works as a preceptor at the Hospital das Clínicas. Her experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she worked on the front lines, has further strengthened her commitment to advocating for humanization in healthcare. "I was either sick or racing towards my future because time was taken from me," Roberta reflects, highlighting her determination to overcome her circumstances.

The onset of Roberta's condition began in 2008, shortly after receiving the yellow fever vaccine, which triggered her first crisis. This incident marked the beginning of a long and taxing journey through health challenges, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Roberta's story sheds light on the resilience and tenacity human beings can exhibit when faced with severe health challenges, and how individuals can turn their struggles into a platform for advocacy and motivating others in similar situations.