Ashton Kutcher is known for his acting career. He became a household named after acting on the sit-com “That 70’s Show.” He went on to act in a variety of other TV shows including “Two and a Half Men” and “The Ranch,” but he also became a movie star acting in films such as “What Happens in Vegas” and “No Strings Attached.”

About 2 years ago, Kutcher’s life completely changed. In a preview for an episode of the National Geographic show “Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge,” Kutcher revealed that he suffered from a rare autoimmune disease called vasculitis. Kutcher told Bear Grylls, “Like two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis, that like knocked out my vision, it knocked out my hearing, it knocked out like all my equilibrium.”

It took Kutcher a year to regain his vision, hearing and equilibrium. He explained, “You don’t really appreciate it, until it’s gone.”

Kutcher believes that he is “lucky to be alive,” and he’s not being dramatic. This is true.

According to arthritis.org, “vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries).  These vessels carry blood to and from the heart and the body’s organs. In severe cases, the condition can cause organ damage or death.”

Nobody knows for sure what causes vasculitis, but it happens when the immune system attacks blood vessels because it thinks they’re a foreign invader. 

Kutcher’s attitude about overcoming vasculitis is quite admirable. We can see why Grylls said that he thinks Kutcher “is living proof” that “storms make you stronger.”

Kutcher’s positive attitude certainly didn’t hurt his recovery. He explained, “The minute you start seeing your obstacles as things that are made for you, to give you what you need, then life starts to get fun, right? You start surfing on top of your problems instead of living underneath them.”

Hear Kutcher explain his experience with vasculitis in the video below.