Wendy Henderson,  —

Brad Gildenblatt was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2014. Three years later, his ALS had progressed to the point where he was unable to travel from Dallas to Oklahoma to see his only child, Caitlin, graduate from Oklahoma State University. However, when one of the deans of the university found out,…

The Muscular Dystrophy Association, in collaboration with the Lewin Group, has calculated the average cost of caring for three of the most common neuromuscular disorders. MORE: Most with chronic conditions find the Affordable Care Act beneficial The study looks at both medical and non-medical costs associated…

Having a service dog can greatly enhance the life of someone living with a chronic disease. They allow patients to regain some of their independence by helping with small everyday tasks like opening and closing doors, fetching meds, acting as a prop or support as their owner stands, switching on lights and attracting attention…

In this video from the ALS Association, discover some of the signs and symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The film explains that the symptoms often appear very slowly at first and can vary greatly from person to person. MORE: Do firefighters have an increased risk…

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is one of the world’s leading funders of research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Its goals are to better understand the cellular mechanisms which lead to the development and subsequent progression of ALS, discover more about the…

A “spoonie” is a term used by people with chronic illnesses. It stems from lupus blogger Christine Miserandino who explained her lack of energy using spoons. How do you know if you’re a spoonie? We’ve scoured the Internet for some examples of what it’s like to be…

In this video, Dr. Simon Freilich gives an overview of the main type of motor neuron disease: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MORE: 16 fast facts about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Dr. Freilich explains that ALS accounts for around 85 percent of motor neuron disease cases. The…

As part of ALS Awareness Month, we’re looking at some of the research into ALS and which populations are more likely to develop the disease. Over the years, researchers have focused on the connection between firefighters and various diseases, including cancer and heart disease, but recent studies have shown that firefighters are more…

Service dogs are typically thought of as necessary companions for the visually impaired, but service and therapy dogs can be incredibly helpful for those with neuromuscular disorders. As well as being a trusted friend, service dogs can expand owners’ motor abilities, granting them new independence and allowing them to get more out of…

May is ALS Awareness Month, so it is timely that on May 5, the FDA approved the first new treatment in 22 years for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The drug, Radicava (edaravone) has been found to slow down the decline of physical ability in ALS patients by a third.