During April of 2022 and during the second to last semester at Mercer University, Mac went from being a persistent overachieving student to one who could barely stand without passing out. Six weeks from the initial fainting led to a hospital visit and by June, a diagnosis of POTS. 

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is listed as a blood circulation disorder characterized by an increase in heart of 30 bpm or greater upon standing for up to 10 minutes, and is further noticed by the countless symptoms caused by Autonomic Dysfunction. Suddenly, the part of the body which controlled heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, bowel movements, and more was no longer working to speed. 

During the first few months of initial diagnosis and onset, Mac was that of a toddler stuck in an adult's body. Memory never stuck with the same repetition of questions, noises overwhelmed them, and mobility was limited to those physically able to give assistance. 

This did not stop Mac. Despite classes on pause and a new difficulty with reading, Mac managed to complete their spring courses in time to enroll back to their last fall semester. Mac maintained honors despite the setbacks thrown their way - ER visits, sudden episode onsets, relearning how to walk and use silverware; there were obstacles and as all overachievers tend to do, Mac leaped them cane and all. 

It has been a year and a half since the initial diagnosis. Mac has completed college early, works part time as a data specialist, and is on their way to obtaining a Service dog and gaining back the level of independence POTS has stripped from them. 

This journey does not come without challenges, and any help regarding financial costs and volunteering matters dearly as each day Mac gets further away from the fainting episodes, and closer to their goal of independence.