A year after developing her mysterious symptoms, Bristol Palin feels more confident and closer to her faith.
“It’s been a year since I first got paralyzed, congratulations,” she told her Instagram followers via Stories on Tuesday. “Here are some ways my life has improved since this happened.”
The first improvement she detailed was that she felt like she was on the path that “God was calling[her]to.”
“We’re not called to shoulder that much, and I wouldn’t call myself a Christian, but I still can’t be controlling and perfectionist in so many areas of my life. So surrendering everything to God freed me,” Palin, 35, explained.
She said, “Over the past year, I have been able to practice more self-discipline, truly hear God’s voice, and walk in His calling.”
Her second benefit from facial paralysis is that it has “forced[her]to live a healthier life.”
“Be more aware of what you’re consuming and what you’re doing every day. I’m so grateful for this path that has taken me.”
Regarding the “vanity part,” Palin claimed that before her condition worsened, she had never exhibited any smoke show behavior and was known by friends as “very humble”, but that the experience had helped her “find some kind of inner confidence”.
“I’m grateful for the sophistication I’ve had. I know this just adds personality to my face. It could have been worse, but life happens quickly and things change so quickly.”
“We just need to trust in God, lay things at His feet, and just trust that there is a purpose for everything.”
She concluded by saying she “stops talking about my face anymore” because it’s “too ridiculous”, but thanked those who helped her on her journey through facial paralysis.
When the “Dancing with the Stars” alum first revealed her facial paralysis in January 2025, she claimed it was caused by a neurological disorder “brought on by stress.”
“Within a few hours, the whole left side of my face went numb and just went numb. I couldn’t even blink and the side of my face didn’t move at all,” she told her Instagram followers at the time.
“Nothing came back. They think I just got Bell’s palsy from stress and lack of sleep. … I think it was caused by stress.”
The “Teen Mom OG” star gave a disappointing update about her condition in November 2025, revealing that she still has a “crooked face.”
Last month, Palin revealed she would soon begin a new treatment regimen that would involve administering Botox to her eyes.
“When I smile or when I’m expressive, I get really small,” she explained on her Instagram Story.
“It could be worse, it could be better. At least I have cute sunglasses,” she concluded.
