Fireside Chats – Monica Goulette (Part 1)

Young globetrotter shares her personal story

As a child, Monica Goulette contracted a viral infection that was eventually diagnosed as Lyme disease. This illness caused her right leg to become completely paralyzed. At age 16, she began using the C-Brace® microprocessor-controlled orthotronic mobility system. This life-changing device opened doors to a new level of independence for Monica—who soon discovered her passion for adventure and the courage to travel the world on her own.

Monica joined her friend and Fireside Chats host, Lacey Henderson, to share her story. In the first of three episodes, Monica describes her experiences living with a debilitating illness and the hurdles she faced with her changing “physical status” and the emotional shifts through her journey.

She also discusses how challenging it was as a preteen to adapt to a different type of life than she imagined she would have, and how a sudden illness or injury impacts close relationships. However, Monica feels fortunate to have an exceptionally supportive and uplifting family.

One of her special memories occurred when she relied on a wheelchair to get around, and her brother made sure she had a great time at her first high school dance. “He recruited about 15 of his friends and they carried me through the whole dance,” she recalled.

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