The Beginner's Guide to Walking — Jennifer V.

The first time I sat in the infusion chair to receive Ultomiris (ravulizumab-cwvz), I felt something I hadn’t experienced for a long time after being diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): hope. I needed this therapy to bring stability back to my life, to spend less time in…

The moment I slip into a pair of high heels, something shifts. Not only do heels lengthen my legs, but they also boost my confidence, improve my posture, and give me a sense of power. It’s not just about fashion, but also what I associate with high heels: the ability…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with antidepressants. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. After realizing recently that I should have been more upset about various life situations, I had to reconsider the benefits and…

I always know when it’s been a busy week because my body tells me so. My muscles ache, I feel weak, and a burning sensation finds new areas of my body to light up. I can’t just power through my weekend like others might, enjoying fun activities after the mundane…

A couple of years ago, I took on boxing as a form of exercise. I’d never step into the ring, but I loved working on proper form, building strength, and seeing how much conditioning I could handle. I was proud of the progress I made. Then, as often happens with…

My friend Liz flew in from Texas for a long weekend here in Toronto, and together we crossed something special off our lists: seeing one of our favorite bands live in concert. It wasn’t just a reunion, but a reminder of how music, friendship, and shared experiences can bring light…

I had waited 16 years to hear one of my favorite bands of all time perform, as their catalog of music was the soundtrack to my youth. That’s how long Oasis, one of the most iconic bands of the 1990s and early 2000s, had been absent from North America —…

After ordering my double-double coffee, I wait patiently in the second line for my order to be called. (If you’ve been to Canada, you know my double-double reference could only mean I’m at Tim Hortons.) Two patrons later, a woman places her order. I expect her to join the…

As wildfires rage across Ontario, Canada, and neighboring provinces, the skies over Toronto have turned hazy and the air has become a silent threat. For most, this means itchy eyes and a scratchy throat. But for those of us living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), the…

Some days I feel like I’m made of symptoms. Living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) means navigating a body that’s constantly shifting beneath me, unpredictable in ways that defy preparation. Speaking of symptoms: One moment, my spine burns with relentless pain. The next day I’m ravenous, only…

It’s been some time since my last neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attack, and lately, I’ve started to realize just how traumatic the previous year was for me. I recognize that I’m holding in this trauma and still fear another attack, and it’s adversely affecting my life. With more…

Before I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I never gave much thought to routine. I’d sleep when I felt tired, exercise when I had the motivation, and take life as it came. But after NMOSD entered my world, I quickly learned that unpredictability was no longer…