The Beginner's Guide to Walking — Jennifer V.

Recovery is a long, windy road and I am not here for it. I deserve a break after having two optic neuritis attacks in the last couple months. Each episode was treated with…

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” as they say. Along those lines, my first experience with plasmapheresis for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) was both intense and helpful. In May, I…

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason, but for me, it’s rarely convenient when it does. Is there ever a good time to have a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attack?…

Do you ever feel like the punches keep coming? Living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can sometimes feel a lot like that. I’m a boxer, stuck in a corner with no way…

I’m a prolific list-builder, and there should be a support group for people like me. From grocery lists to bucket lists, from daily to-dos to long-term goals, I have a list for nearly everything.

After six hours of sitting in the ER waiting room, I wondered if, instead of coming here, my optometrist could’ve recognized my optic neuritis attack and prescribed me Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) and oral…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Solu-Medrol (methylprednisolone) and the Homepump Eclipse. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a…

“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…