The Beginner's Guide to Walking — Jennifer V.

“The Hare and the Tortoise” holds a special place in my heart among Aesop’s timeless fables. It’s a narrative I revisit often in my life, finding in its conflict and resolution a source…

If only I had a crystal ball that told me exactly how much time I have left, I’d know if I could spend my Sunday on the sofa or if I’d need to plan…

I recently celebrated my mother’s birthday, which was lovely because it was a chance to see family members I hadn’t seen in a while. Our adult lives are busy, so regrettably, we don’t get…

Living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often means navigating a journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. While some days I feel that I’m managing the disease well, I quietly suffer on…

One of my greatest frustrations of living with a rare disease is how it affects my ability to exercise. Before neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I enjoyed being an athlete and a…

In the decade that I’ve lived with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’ve connected with many other patients who say they’ve had trouble overcoming the heartache of not knowing who will show up…

It’s been over two weeks since we were required to “spring forward” for the arrival of daylight saving time (DST). As a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patient, I’m not a fan.

I sometimes feel like I’m laughing in the face of death. When I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), all my internet searches informed me that I’d have about five years…

I’ve always been a tech nerd, falling in love with the newest tool in the Internet of Things, such as my Fitbit and phone, which can display various body statistics…

Describing myself has always been a challenge. I’m as complex as the next person, but I feel like I’ve been a chameleon my entire life, always adapting to my surroundings to survive. That drive…

Sometimes while I’m waiting for my prescription, I find myself meandering through the aisles of our local pharmacy. At one point I found myself facing the wall of vitamin supplements. Rows upon rows of…

I’ve been thin. Very thin. And I’m currently overweight. Very overweight. It’s not lost on me that in this lifetime, I’ve experienced both ends of the weight spectrum. I can make excuses for that,…