When Samantha Lewis walked across the stage at George Mason University’s spring graduation ceremony, much of the crowd jumped to their feet to cheer. Just three months before, she couldn't walk.

Lewis had suddenly lost feeling in both of her legs after having a major surgery and other treatments late last year. She was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, or FND.

Her advisor at George Mason told her it would be best for her to take the semester off. But Lewis had a different goal and set her sites on graduating in May.

The psychology major enrolled in six classes — a feat that's difficult under normal circumstances.

"I’m going to try to do my best because I can’t give up without trying first. And then I was able to apply that mindset to recovery, too."

At the Inova Rehab C

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