Jennifer van Amerom,  —

While most of us try not to judge a book by its cover, we inevitably still do it at some point. Society has conditioned us to judge people by their physical appearance first, and then their personality. Additionally, people usually only recognize illness when they can see it. When we…

The new year can represent a new start, except it isn’t, really. I still have neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and the challenges that existed in our lives last year are still here. But what a new year can become is a moment to pause, reflect, and commit to new habits…

The phoenix is my spirit animal. Out of the ashes it rises, and a new self is born. That’s how I felt after my neuromyelitis optica (NMO) diagnosis, and it’s how I feel every time something changes with this disease. Reinvention is important to my survival, both physically and…

Meeting another patient with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare occurrence — as rare as this disease. While most of us have incredible support networks, there’s something unparalleled about meeting another person who knows exactly what you’re going through. We don’t have to search for the right words to…

In the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I usually spend some time thinking about my loved ones and what they mean to me. This year, I thought I’d share a love letter to my husband of 12 years, Mike, in hopes that other neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients might relate.

I have this recurring dream where I’m trapped in a room. I can hear voices on the other side of the door, so I call out, except my voice feels heavy. The words are caught in my mouth, so no one can hear me. I try to get up. I’m…

Everyone knows that how we treat our bodies affects our health. Our habits, behaviors, and self-care — which include sleep, stress management, a healthy diet, and exercise — all play a role. Yet, somehow we often tend to overlook our skin. Particularly as patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), why…

As I watched actress Selma Blair try to formulate a sentence in her 2021 documentary, “Introducing, Selma Blair,” I couldn’t stop the tears from running down my face. I didn’t mean to watch it alone, sitting in the dark, but I’m glad I did. My heart ached for…

When I first became sick with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), people often told me how sorry they were. I believe they genuinely meant it, but it’s always an uncomfortable and awkward conversation for both parties. As the patient, I never want people to feel sad, so my natural response…

Last month was my 41st birthday. A celebration is often a pipe dream, resulting in me feeling drained as the day approaches and then doing nothing. This year was different, though; I had no big plans except eagerly waiting while my husband installed my new birthday gift. I had requested…