Just a few years after nearly walking away from nursing because a rare autoimmune disease made even the simplest duties difficult, newly crowned LASCO Chin Foundation/Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) Nurse of the Year Jervine Richards has overcome a diagnosis that once threatened to end the career she loves. The 29-year-old Clarendon native, who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2019, had reached a point where she questioned whether she could continue working as a nurse. “I did consider quitting my job. I decided I was going to leave because I could not manage,” Richards told THE STAR. “But I got on treatment and it has led me to be here today. Seven years later, I am doing much better now. I’m stable.” Richards, who grew up in Frankfield before relocating to Spaulding with her parents, said the uncertainty surrounding her condition made her early struggles even more difficult. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness and can affect the eyes, face, hands, legs, and even the muscles responsible for breathing. Before receiving a diagnosis, Richards battled daily challenges on the job without knowing the cause. “I didn’t know what was happening, and it made working as a nurse extremely difficult,” she said. The condition eventually became overwhelming, forcing her to consider leaving the profession she had worked so hard to enter. Today, however, Richards is celebrating one of the proudest moments of her career after capturing the LASCO Chin Foundation/NAJ Nurse of the Year title — an achievement she had set as a personal goal before turning 30. “Last year, I sat as a guest in the audience of the LASCO Chin Foundation Nurse of the Year awards and I told myself I had to accomplish that before I turned 30,” she said. “It wasn’t the only factor because, in 2017 ,I placed third in the Nursing Student of the Year competition. So, from that moment, I knew I was looking forward to joining the Nurse of the Year competition.” Preparing for the competition required dedication and sacrifice. After returning from vacation, Richards devoted the month leading up to the June 20 competition almost entirely to preparation. She credited friends, former contestants and her deputy director of nursing services — the outgoing Nurse of the Year — for helping her refine her presentation skills. She recalled one evening when they remained at the hospital until after 9 p.m. working on preparations. “I got a lot of support, and I appreciate my support system.” Although treatment has stabilised her condition, Richards said myasthenia gravis remains a daily reality. “My biggest challenge might be holding my smile for a long time,” she shared. She admitted that she was concerned about the physical demands of the competition, particularly the photo sessions, and whether she would be able to maintain her energy throughout the activities. To manage the condition, Richards carefully balances her medication, workload and rest. “I ensure that I take my medication and I try to be very balanced in terms of my preparations, balancing work and ensuring that I got enough time to rest so that I could execute to the best of my abilities on the day of the competition.” Despite the challenges, Richards refused to allow her diagnosis to define her journey. “I did not let my diagnosis hold me back at all. A big part of this was trusting God and having a strong support system. My mom and sister were at the ceremony, but there are many others who supported me along the journey.” Richards attended Knox College High School before beginning her nursing studies at The University of the West Indies, Mona. She later transferred to Knox Community College to complete her degree closer to home. She said the decision was both practical and beneficial, allowing her to remain near her family while reducing financial pressure. Her parents fully funded her education. “My mom and dad are both teachers and they have invested so much in me growing up. I’m extremely grateful because I finished school without debt.” Richards also credits the Church of God in Jamaica for helping her develop the confidence that now serves her in public settings. “They often say public speaking is the number-one fear, but it’s something I enjoy because I grew up on public platforms through church and school, and that has helped to shape me today.” With the national title now secured, Richards hopes her journey will encourage others facing health challenges that threaten to derail their dreams. “My encouragement would be to trust God. I think that’s the first thing. Above everything else, you have to trust God.” “Even for me in the initial stages, I had no idea what was wrong and several doctors didn’t know either. If you don’t trust God first and foremost, that alone is going to hinder your progress.” “And then, whatever comes your way, you just have to believe in yourself. Don’t doubt. Take it one step, one day at a time. You’ll make it. You’ll overcome.” Her mother, Genevieve Richards, said hearing her daughter’s name announced as the winner was an emotional moment. “When I heard her name called as the winner ,I felt overwhelmed and very happy for my daughter,” she said. “Jervine has always been a winner. Whether she wins or she doesn’t reach her expected goals, she still moves with the flow, and I’m very happy for that.” Looking ahead to her daughter’s reign as Nurse of the Year, Genevieve said she is confident Richards will embrace the responsibility. “I know it’s a lot of work, and I’ll be right there with her. Whatever she aims to do in the role, she can do it with God’s help.”