Written by Anica’s Oldest Sister, Saoirse:

Anica’s Journey: A Story of Strength, Suffering, and Hope

Anica is a fierce, vibrant 25-year-old who once thrived as a singer, ski coach, producer, and creative force. She is the kind of person who leaves an unforgettable impact—wise beyond her years, endlessly kind, and filled with a spirit that naturally draws people in. But in November 2023, everything changed.

It began with severe eczema, spreading rapidly until 90% of her body was consumed by unbearable pain. What most people think of as dry skin became a waking nightmare for Anica—open wounds, constant burning, deep infections, relentless itching, and nerve pain that made even the lightest touch unbearable. Daily life became an agonizing cycle of suffering, where even basic human comforts—wearing clothes, showering, being held—were stripped away.

Sleep, the one natural refuge from pain, became impossible. The intensity of her condition kept her awake for days at a time, pushing her body and mind to their absolute limits. Extreme sleep deprivation spiraled into neurological distress, causing whole-body shutdowns, violent panic attacks, and a level of exhaustion that blurred the line between reality and delirium. Her mind, deprived of rest, began attacking itself, leading to a severe onset of chronic pain OCD and catatonic scratching, where compulsions forced her to tear at her own skin, worsening her suffering in an endless loop.

Anica had always been a fighter, but this battle was unlike anything she had ever faced. Doctors were at a loss. The treatments meant to help her only made her worse, triggering dangerous allergic reactions, worsening her skin condition, and further deteriorating her health. Hospital visits became cycles of rejection—she was either dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left with treatments that backfired. At one of her lowest points, she was turned away from the ER at Cedar Sinai in LA, simply because her condition was too complex, her body too fragile to tolerate their standard medications.

Despite everything, Anica refused to give up. She continued searching, pushing through pain, seeking answers when none were given. She has always been more than her suffering—she is an artist, an intellectual, a dreamer who sees the world with depth and intention. Even in the depths of this illness, she holds onto the belief that healing is possible.

In early January 2025, a breakthrough came—a dual diagnosis revealed that her brain had been under attack the entire time, complicating her eczema and neurological decline. With this new understanding, a new path forward emerged. She started a specialized brain treatment, two new medications, and for the first time in months, she has been able to sleep. The first two nights of rest felt like miracles, a sign that her body, given the right care, could begin to recover.

Before this, Anica was a force of nature. A ski coach whose love for the mountains and mentorship changed lives. A producer whose mind brought visions to life. A singer whose voice, powerful and soulful, carried something deeper than music—it was a reflection of the depth and emotion within her. Now, she fights not just to survive, but to reclaim her life, her talents, her voice.

Through this journey, Anica’s story is being captured in a documentary—one that will shed light on the raw, unfiltered reality of chronic illness, the failures of the medical system, and the resilience of those who refuse to be defined by their suffering. Her fight is not just for herself, but for everyone battling conditions that steal their autonomy, their identity, and their dignity.

Anica is still in the trenches of this battle, but she is not giving up. Her story is one of unimaginable hardship, but also of defiance, courage, and the unwavering belief that healing is possible. She is determined to rise again—to sing, to create, to inspire—and to show the world that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope.

My name is Saoirse (Sir-sha), and Anica is my little sister.

If you know her, you know how extraordinary she is. If you don’t, I hope you can feel it through these words. She is a light in this world, and she deserves the chance to shine again.