The Beginner's Guide to Walking — Jennifer V.

“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…

One of my greatest pet peeves since my diagnosis with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is when people tell me it’s OK to be sick. I don’t need their permission to be who…

When you’re newly diagnosed with a rare disease, you have no idea what you’ll need to endure for the rest of your life. The shock of the diagnosis takes up all your energy,…

My obsession with clean teeth started long before my neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) diagnosis. As a child, I had more than my share of visits to the dentist — enough that…

I never wanted to be a disability advocate. I don’t know anyone whose childhood dream involved advocacy of any sort, but something happens, or you witness an injustice you can’t turn away from, and…

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), my rare autoimmune disorder, forever throws new symptoms at me when I least expect them. To combat these surprises, I’ve had to create several unconventional coping mechanisms,…

This journey with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is long, so I’ve always found it important to appreciate those who support and care for me. And my neurologist has been with me since…

“Mama, can we ride one more roller coaster, please?” I looked at Sophie’s desperate face and could see her excitement waiting to boil over. At 10 years old, my daughter is a tiny…

I’ve always loved driving, especially highway driving late at night. Watching every dash on the road zoom by with the hum of the car is both an exercise in concentration and a form of…

Dear Reader, It’s me, Jennifer, hoping you don’t mind if I occupy the tiniest space in your mind for the shortest amount of your time. This request is because I feel insignificant right now.

Dear Past Self, I know you were blindsided by this diagnosis. You’re justified in feeling that it’s unfair, because it is. No one around you has heard of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), even…

My family and I always laugh about my inability to keep plants alive. In my defense, if something isn’t hollering at me for attention or sending me email reminders, I can’t be responsible for…