Sun Life Made Me: Norma Rae of Neurology 💪

⚡ They Thought They Had Me Trapped

Sun Life thought they had me cornered.

They denied my accommodations, blocked my return to work, and at the same time told federal court I was “fit to work” so they wouldn’t have to pay disability.

Their goal was clear:

Destabilize me financially.

Break me emotionally.

Keep me too weak to fight back.

But here’s the irony—

their retaliation forced me to get stronger.

🧘🏽‍♀️ Rebuilding From the Rubble

I wasn’t going to starve for Sun Life.

And I wasn’t going to starve for my employer.

If they refused to let me work,

and Sun Life refused to pay disability benefits,

then I had only one option:

to rebuild without them.

So I doubled down on my recovery:

• Intensive outpatient therapy

• Mindfulness and walking

• Progressive relaxation

• Counseling and self-work

  
  

Every tool I could find to steady myself—I used.

And then something amazing happened.

⚖️ The Comeback They Didn’t See Coming

The personal injury firm I’d worked with before in Dallas called:

“Dr. Stephenson, are you available?”

At first, I hesitated.

Then I said, Hell yes, I’m available.

They had plenty of work for me.

Another group wanted me to do disability evaluations for veterans.

I said, Yes—I’d love to help veterans get the benefits they deserve.

That’s the work I’m doing now.

The very outcome Sun Life and my employer were desperate to prevent.

Because their retaliation backfired.

By denying me support and blocking my return,

they pushed me to rebuild without them.

And now I’m regaining my footing.

💬 The Privilege—and the Purpose

I know most people don’t have this privilege.

Not every neurologist can pivot into personal injury and veteran disability evaluations.

Certainly not the HR worker, not the nurse, not the everyday employee crushed by the system.

That’s why I have to keep fighting.

Not just for me—but for everyone who can’t.

🔥 The Fire They Lit

So yes, Sun Life—you made me.

You thought you’d silence me.

Instead, you lit a fire.

And now I’m louder than ever—

n federal court,

in regulatory filings,

on social media,

and yes—even through my pets.

My foster dog Luke gives you side-eye on TikTok,

and he’s not the only one.

I didn’t want this role.

I didn’t ask to be the Norma Rae of Neurology 💪.

But here I am.

You put me here.

✊🏾 Join the Phoenix Advocacy Network

📣 Follow PAN for real stories of healthcare workers standing up to retaliation.

💬 Share your story—because solidarity is louder than fear.

🕊️ Support those rebuilding after retaliation—the people who refuse to stay quiet.

They thought I’d break. Instead, I built something stronger.