Columns

Even though summer isn’t officially over yet, it already feels like the end. This year, I’m feeling a bit emotional about it, and I’m sure my neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has something to do with that. Living with NMOSD has made me hyperaware of the effects of…

You can’t find it if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s how I feel every time my Facebook and Instagram communities related to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) discuss a news topic I hadn’t heard about. I’m left madly searching the internet to get caught up. Meta,…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with medical marijuana products. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Living in Colorado is a dream for many reasons, including the fact that there are over 300…

I’ve been trying to stay active, but after a long family bike ride, I was exhausted. I opened my fridge looking for a fast and easy snack and audibly cheered when I found the strawberries I’d washed, chopped, and neatly placed into Tupperware earlier that day. Had I not found…

Living in a big city like Denver has always had its perks. My office downtown is but a 10-minute drive from home, our food scene is incredible, and the city is diverse and always growing. And one of the biggest blessings of living in Denver is having good access…

There’s no way to fully prepare for a flare-up of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) when I’m traveling, though I try. I’ve invested in additional travel insurance when out of the country, thankfully never having to use it. I bring records of all my medications should a treating…

Passing through the Great North here in Canada reminds me of how much I love being connected to nature. I never get enough of it when living in a metropolitan city. Modern medications are saving my life, but I can’t help but wonder if the answer to neuromyelitis optica…

Summer for most teens is a time to relax, stay up and wake up late, enjoy time with friends, and be free from the demands and stress of high school. For my 15-year-old daughter, Bella, though, summer has been a time to catch up on schoolwork so she’ll pass ninth…

“It’s like heaven and hell at the same time.” That’s my response whenever I meet another neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patient who asks me about our Canadian healthcare system. Don’t get me wrong: I’m an incredibly proud Canadian. There are wonderful aspects to our “Great North,” including our…

“The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” — Ernest Hemingway, “A Farewell to Arms” One of my favorite things to do is prepare a meal while a good friend is seated at my kitchen bar, a wine glass or cup of tea in…