Before being diagnosed with ALS at age 28, Rachel was an English teacher. Now, she has found joy and a new purpose in writing about ALS to spread awareness, inspire advocates, and connect with fellow ALS warriors.
When I look back at 2018, I feel pride. I fought my ALS hard. I forced myself to finish all my meals, even when I had zero appetite, to minimize weight loss.
It’s hard to live in the present when the past feels as close as my shadow. I can’t stop thinking about the things I have lost. I’m nearly immobile, so the things…
Over the past year, I have become an expert in pain — something I never wanted to be. However, daily severe muscle spasms, cramping, one surgery, and an emergency room visit later,…
Part two of a series. Read part one here. To help you get started with creating your perfect treatment plan for depression, I will share my experience with two types of…
First in a series of two columns on creating a plan to treat depression. In my last column on preventing and identifying depression, I promised to create a guide to…
Depression is a sneaky beast. It’s the monster beneath the bed, waiting until you’re vulnerable to grab you by the ankles, drag you into its dark, misty kingdom and leave you…
Living with ALS can cause dramatic changes to your relationships. When I felt my relationships fracturing under the strain of my disease and growing disabilities, I realized I needed help. So, I turned to…
“If I was a broken clock, would you throw screwdrivers and bolts into my tool shed?” – “Tool Shed” by Chaya Nemiccolo What is emotional intelligence? Patients can…
Welcome to “The Mighty Mind.” When I was diagnosed with ALS at age 28 in 2015, I felt like I had lost everything. My body, without warning or reason, had turned on me, and…