From collapse to new kneecaps: a dystonia journey 1 July 2026

https://rarerevolutionmagazine.com/from-collapse-to-new-kneecaps-a-dystonia-journey/ Almost four years on from her dystonia diagnosis, Becky Johnson reflects on what her life has been like. From the frequent collapsing episodes to the technology that helped her manage her condition and the medical treatment and procedures she has undergone By Becky Johnson Stumbling upon a collection of private video journals I recorded during the first six months after my dystonia diagnosis in August 2022 was unexpected. Scattered alongside a few other clips from the last four years, they had entirely slipped my mind. Rewatching those early entries proved to be both a heavy emotional burden and a profound gift. One video vividly captured a collapsing episode—just one of many I endured last summer. During these collapsing episodes, a sensation would steadily drain from my legs until they refused to work altogether. I would sink to the ground in slow motion. Usually, with a helping hand, I would make it to bed and fall into a deep sleep for a few hours. Upon waking, my mobility typically returned, though I vividly recall moments where my legs felt weak, detached and entirely foreign to how normal human limbs should operate.