Serena's Story

From Silence to Strength: How Serena Rigney Overcame Disability with Resilience and Support

Serena Rigney’s story is not one you would immediately expect.

When she first walked into the office of Easterseals Middle Georgia, she carried herself with confidence—speaking clearly, moving proudly, and projecting the ease of someone untouched by major hardship. But as she began to share her story, a very different picture emerged: one shaped by years of medical challenges, repeated surgeries, and the isolating effects of disability.

Recently, Rigney worked successfully with Aflac and helped others pursue their goals in Warner Robins. Her professional life reflects stability and purpose. Her past, however, tells a story of extraordinary resilience.

Born with multiple complex medical conditions—including spina bifida, skull-based tumors, and congenital cholesteatoma—Rigney’s early life was marked by constant medical care. She has undergone 37 major surgeries, including ear drum reconstructions and procedures related to severe hearing loss.

“I was 100 percent deaf for a time,” she said.

Raised primarily by her mother and grandmother, Rigney faced not only physical challenges but deep social ones as well. Communication barriers made it difficult to connect with other children, and consistent school attendance was a struggle.

“The biggest challenge I faced in childhood was hearing loss, loss of communication, and struggles with connecting with other kids,” she said.

Support from Easterseals played a pivotal role during those formative years. Though her earliest interactions with the organization are a blur—she was very young at the time—she still holds onto a small but meaningful memory: an egg gifted to her through the program.

Over time, that support became far more substantial. Easterseals provided assistance with education, financial resources, and emotional encouragement.

“They helped with schooling, financial resources, and morale,” Rigney said.

While she cannot identify a single defining moment, she recalls a gradual turning point between the ages of four and eight.

“From about eight years old, everything started to shift for the better,” she said.

That shift ultimately helped shape the person she is today—someone who not only overcame significant barriers but now helps others navigate their own.

After a brief period in accounting, Rigney found her path in the medical field, where she has now worked for 30 years. Her experiences have given her a unique perspective when supporting others facing challenges.

“I was able to help others see their challenges were not the end of the tunnel,” she said. “There was a light to look forward to.”

Rigney acknowledges that her journey is ongoing. Despite the progress she has made, daily struggles remain—but so does her determination.

Before receiving support, she recalls a life marked by isolation and stigma.

“Everything was hard before,” she said. “No friends, couldn’t connect with others.”

Today, that reality has changed dramatically.

“I’m now more outgoing and social. I can hold friendships and communicate well and clearly,” she said.

Among her proudest accomplishments is not just her career, but her ability to persevere with grace. In September 2025, she began a new chapter by relocating to Georgia.

Looking back, some of her most meaningful memories are rooted in simple acts of kindness. She recalls volunteers creating handprint mementos and surrounding her hospital bed with get-well cards—small gestures that made a lasting impact.

“It made my entire experience more comfortable,” she said.

When asked to describe what Easterseals meant to her, Rigney chose two words: “Survival and Success.”

Her life story reflects both—and serves as a reminder that behind quiet confidence, there can be extraordinary strength.