At just 13 years old, Skyler’s life took a harrowing turn when she was forcibly separated from her parents and accused of fabricating her illness. Despite years of documented medical history, suspected mitochondrial disease, and a range of debilitating symptoms, doctors and authorities dismissed her condition—leading to a traumatic case of medical kidnapping.
In this episode of Energy in Action, Skyler bravely recounts her journey from a childhood filled with chronic illness to the moment she was taken from her family, placed into foster care, and forced to endure psychological manipulation by medical professionals who refused to believe her pain was real. She shares the devastating impact of being wrongly accused, the emotional toll on her family, and how she ultimately fought to regain control over her own medical narrative.
Skyler’s resilience shines through as she reflects on the lasting trauma of the experience, her ongoing battle with mitochondrial disease, and her determination to move forward. Her story serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of misdiagnosing medical child abuse—and a testament to the importance of patient advocacy, self-trust, and never giving up the fight for proper care.
Learn More About MitoAction:
Meet Rare Disease Dad, Adam Johnson!
PARENTS AS RARE - EPISODE 077 A Rare Revolution - HITMC Meets Rare Disease with Grace Vinton, Kristy Dickinson, & Effie Parks Grace Vinton,...
In this episode of Energy in Action, host Marcy Young introduces Devin Shuman—a genetic counselor who lives with a rare form of mitochondrial DNA...
