06/15/2026
🌟 Shining a Light on Trigeminal Neuralgia with Jessica Smiles and Sparky!🌟
Meet Jessica Smiles, a true friend of Sparky’s and a dedicated advocate for the Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) community. Jessica has been instrumental in raising awareness and sharing her journey, reminding us all of the importance of Sparky’s mission.
Sparky isn’t just a companion; he’s a movement! By hosting Sparky for a few days, you can help spread the word about TN and the challenges we face. Every story shared makes a difference, and together we can create a supportive network for those affected.
As a TN Warrior myself, I’ve been navigating this journey for 14 years while on disability. Despite the challenges, I still find joy in teaching part-time at Three Minneapolis schools for adult community education and learning disabled classes. Here I am at Edison High School and Northeast Middle School, putting in a couple of hours each day to make a difference in my students’ lives.
Sparky joined me on the first Saturday in May, just as I was heading out for the annual “Walk for Animals” fundraiser in the Twin Cities, MN. Before that, we made a trip to the neurology department at the University of Minnesota for a skin biopsy to test for small fiber neuropathy. It’s been a long road—my TN diagnosis came in November 2024, a whopping 12 years after my first flare. Yowza!
Let’s keep the conversation going and support each other. You can make a big impact by sharing your story and hosting Sparky. Together, we can uplift the TN community and create a brighter future for all warriors out there. 💪❤️
TN Warrior Racing
Jessica Birdie-Smiles