Life hasn’t always been easy for me, or for any of us, for that matter. I’ve seen and experienced things that no one should have to face. As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? A big part of my perspective comes from my youngest…
Courage to Care – a Column by Candice Galvan
Biting into a raw lemon is always a shocking experience no matter how many times you’ve done it. The smell of a lemon may be fresh and inviting, but the taste? Not so much. Yet when you take a sip of fresh lemonade on a hot day, it’s pleasant and…
When I was growing up, I was the girl in class who frequently received teacher comments on my report card saying “talks too much in class.” While I agree that I probably should have paid more attention to the subject matter (especially math) instead of socializing with friends, it’s no…
2023 was an incredible year for my family and me, full of growth, learning opportunities, job promotions, travel, mostly good health, and advocacy. At the beginning of last year, I set a goal to use my voice and spent the year advocating for my 15-year-old daughter, Bella, and everyone…
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…
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…
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…
The past few years have been challenging for me, my family, and especially my youngest daughter, Bella, who in 2017 was diagnosed at 9 years old with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). At the time, the best course of therapy recommended by Bella’s neurologist was Rituxan…
A 15th birthday is a special event for a teenager. Whether you have a big celebration with lots of friends and family, or a small gathering with loved ones and furry friends, having the opportunity to celebrate another trip around the sun is memorable and fun. In my Mexican culture,…
The human body is a fascinating and mysterious thing both to understand and to listen to. Personally, I think hiccups are one of the most annoying things our bodies do. They seem to come at the worst time and last longer than we’d prefer. Growing up, my siblings and…
Recent Posts
- New biomarker may help gauge disease severity in NMOSD
- The longest night of the year offers hope of brighter days with NMOSD
- Advanced plasma exchange therapy effectively eases NMOSD attacks
- Reaffirming that access to healthcare is a human right
- Brain, spinal cord shrinkage linked to distinct NMOSD outcomes: Study
- Reflecting on what I’m grateful for softens the edges of NMOSD
- When my invisible illness meets my very visible disabled parking spot
- Study IDs environmental factors tied globally to higher NMOSD risk
- Inflammatory protein S100A9 ID’d as new treatment target in NMOSD
- Connecting with others who have NMOSD gave me hope