Episode 2

Leigh Dzvonick: Living Through Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Published on: 4th June, 2025

Military spouse and mom Leigh Dzvonick was busy raising young kids when she started to feel off. After three ER visits and a misdiagnosis of anxiety, she was finally told she had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that left her unable to walk.

In this episode, Leigh shares the confusion of misdiagnosis, the shock of sudden paralysis, and the determination it took to reclaim her health.

Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding your health.

“You know your body better than anybody. And it sounds very generic, but you have to appreciate being able to do physical activity—because not everybody has that blessing.”


Hear Leigh talk about:

  • Her early symptoms of Guillain-Barré and why it’s often misdiagnosed
  • How fast the illness can progress and why timely treatment is crucial
  • The physical exhaustion and the road to recovery
  • The emotional toll of being hospitalized with young kids at home
  • How Leigh regained her strength and perspective through persistence

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About the Podcast

Tell Me What It's Like
Everyday People. Defining Moments.
Ever wonder what it really feels like to live through something extraordinary?

On Tell Me What It’s Like, host Stacy Raine talks with people who’ve faced defining moments – from running a world marathon to surviving a rare illness to building something entirely new. Hear the real experiences behind extraordinary choices as they discuss how it happened, what it felt like, and the lessons they learned along the way.

About your host

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Stacy Raine

I was 16 when I conducted my first interview. I was a nervous high school kid assigned to interview a WWII veteran. It was an incredibly emotional conversation, and an experience I still think about to this day. I didn’t know it then, but that moment would shape everything that followed.

As a nonprofit communicator and podcast producer, I’ve spent my career thinking about the stories we all have to share. Tell Me What It’s Like unearths the backstory to the small and large moments that changed everything.

One of my biggest beliefs is that sharing stories connects us – as long as we're willing to listen.