2 Every time I go to a doctor appointment - my main reason for getting out of bed and into my uncomfortable wheelchair - I blink at the brightness of day. The blue summer sky is blinding, and it always takes a minute to adjust. Once my eyes accept the sunshine, I immediately wonder how … Continue reading “And I Think to Myself, What a Wonderful World!”
3 3 3 3 2 This one goes out to all the people who can't cry at home. Whether you are trying to be brave for a loved one or just don't have the space or privacy to cry at home, I hope this gives you some relief. Step 1: Park your car somewhere safe, … Continue reading The Art of Car Crying
2 3 I have never really been one to get excited about New Years. Early on, my mom instilled in me a lasting fear of the hordes of drunk drivers careening about all night. I am now 30 years old, and to this day, I have never been to a New Years Eve party I … Continue reading Draw on the Magic of New Years to Improve Your Health (Even if You Have ALS)
3 3 Depression is a sneaky beast. It’s the monster beneath the bed, waiting until you’re vulnerable to grab you by the ankles, drag you into its dark, misty kingdom and leave you to wander alone. I’m just stumbling out of a two month-long bout of depression. I knew I was at risk. In fact, … Continue reading A new approach to preventing and identifying depression
3 4 4 4 2 Trigger Warning! Forward: When just over a month ago I sensed that my mind was changing, I was overcome with a frenzied need to record everything I thought and felt. Even before I understood that I was depressed, I realized I was going somewhere that outsiders could never truly visit. … Continue reading My Depression Diary
I consider this Halloween costume an absolute success. I dressed as the Little Mermaid, and had a sign on my wheelchair to tell people that ALS stole my voice! Ursula, you're off the hook. Plus, I had some royal arm candy (wink wink). I am glad I was able to dress up and pass out … Continue reading A Happy Halloween
"Relationships aren't perfectly symmetrical and that's okay." - Melissa Rothstein After my diagnosis, I learned that no matter how long someone has been in your life, ALS causes such dramatic change that you will have to lay a new foundation for your relationships. When I felt my relationships fracturing under the strain of my mysterious … Continue reading 5 Ways to Build a Relationship Stronger Than ALS
3 3 2 If you are anything like me, you do a little research before choosing a doctor. Patients can easily learn about the traditional aspects of their doctor's qualifications, such as the college they attended, years practicing, and awards earned, with a simple Internet search. However, it's quite a bit harder to get a … Continue reading Unabridged: “Is Your Doctor Hurting Your Mental Health? Why You Need an Emotionally Intelligent Doctor and How to Find One”
7 5 8 8 9Dedicated to Dr. Goslin for giving me permission to believe, and my husband Evan, who shields me from the worst of the winter winds. I am a voracious reader. I always have been, thanks to my parents and grandparents, who planted books around my house in places I could reach even … Continue reading A Wild and Lonely Belief
In the movie adaptation of my life, the climactic scene would go like this: the camera slowly sweeps up to where I am snuggling into a warm plaid blanket on a rustic porch. The sun peeks out from where it slept behind the mountain range. The soft light on my face shows I’m at peace. … Continue reading A Lesson on Joy
How I Live Now: Life With ALS 