Pacifica Stories

Sophomore Axi Mok Overcomes Rare Brain Disorder to Inspire Others Through Her Writing and Determination

At Pacifica, we believe that each student is called to build a life of meaning and purpose. Few stories embody this calling more powerfully than that of Axi Mok, a current sophomore whose remarkable journey of healing and hope was recently featured in People magazine.

Axi was just eight years old when her world changed. Once a bright and eager student, reading and performing math ahead of her grade, she suddenly lost the ability to read, write, or even remember her own name. Her parents, Ken Mok and Helie Lee, were alarmed by the sudden decline and rushed her to doctor after doctor, seeking answers. Despite her worsening symptoms including extreme fatigue, confusion, and a noticeable change in speech, no one could explain what was happening.

In a providential twist, the family’s nanny connected them with a neurologist at UCLA, Dr. Sheldon Wolf. Deeply concerned, Dr. Wolf ordered a series of tests. While scans ruled out a tumor, blood work revealed abnormalities that ultimately led to a diagnosis: Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, a rare and little-known autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the brain and mimics symptoms of dementia or stroke.

With this diagnosis, a long journey began. Her parents remained steadfast, pursuing answers and care from specialists across the country, including a top pediatric neurologist at Harvard who confirmed the diagnosis.

Her doctors offered one hope: that as Axi reached puberty, her brain might begin to heal. And miraculously, it did.

From fifth to eighth grade, Axi began a slow but steady climb: working with tutors, relearning foundational skills, and slowly regaining her academic confidence. In the midst of this process, she began writing a children’s book with the help of a writing coach. "The Adventure to the Ancient Iceberg" became a safe space for Axi and a creative outlet where she could express herself and imagine something bigger than her illness. The book features her, her twin brother Brandon, and their dogs embarking on an imaginative quest. Writing it was more than therapeutic, it was redemptive.

Today, Axi is thriving at Pacifica. She’s enrolled in all honors courses, earns straight A’s, plays guitar, competes as an equestrian, and runs for sport. She recently completed her second book, "The Adventure to the Midnight Circus," and is hard at work on her third.

Her journey reminds us that adversity can shape character, strengthen resolve, and even awaken new gifts. Axi’s story is one of profound courage and a beautiful reminder that healing is possible, joy is resilient, and every life, when lived with purpose, can become a beacon of light for others.

We are proud to walk alongside Axi this year as she continues to write her extraordinary story.

Read more about her journey in People magazine here.