Marion Jones' story: CNBC Cures
April 20, 2026 — A former avid runner sidelined by a rare neurological disorder is returning to one of the world’s most prestigious races this week, thanks in part to intensive inpatient rehabilitation that helped her relearn how to walk, and eventually run, again.
In a story aired on CNBC Cures, Marion Jones shared her journey from partial paralysis to competing in the Boston Marathon, highlighting the critical role of specialized rehabilitation in her recovery.
Jones, who was living and working in Boston’s clean energy sector when her health began to decline, was eventually diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord. Often described as a cousin of multiple sclerosis, NMO can cause sudden and debilitating flare-ups that lead to vision loss, limited mobility and paralysis.
Following a severe flare-up in 2020 that left her partially paralyzed and unable to care for herself, Jones spent time in an intensive care unit before being transferred to Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of New England for inpatient rehabilitation. Prior to her diagnosis, she had been a competitive runner who regularly medaled in road races, making the sudden loss of mobility especially devastating.
According to the CNBC report, Jones arrived at inpatient rehabilitation reliant on a wheelchair and facing an uncertain future. Through daily, physician-led rehabilitation and hours of physical and occupational therapy, she began relearning basic movements many take for granted. Over time, those first steps progressed from walking with assistance to jogging, and eventually to distance running.
“I went from not being able to walk to running marathons,” Jones told CNBC, crediting her care team for helping restore both her physical independence and her confidence.
Now, Jones is running the Boston Marathon in a full-circle moment — returning to the city and community where her recovery began. When she crosses the finish line, she’ll receive the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher Medal, which is only awarded to runners who have completed all six of the world’s most prestigious races. She is also using her platform to raise awareness of rare diseases such as NMO and to highlight the importance of specialized rehabilitation in helping patients regain function after life-altering illness or injury.
More than 30 million Americans live with a rare disease, many of which can have sudden and severe impacts on mobility and independence. As Jones’ story underscores, access to comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation can play a critical role in helping patients rebuild their lives when the unexpected occurs.
