ALS News Today Columns

October 19, 2021October 19, 2021

How I Switch to a Long View of My ALS Life

ALS News Today Columns

Like most folks who live with ALS, I tend to get stuck in the shortsighted day-to-day management of my symptoms. Over the years, I’ve developed several strategies that help me ... Read more

October 14, 2021October 14, 2021

Navigating Interventions With the Ongoing Losses of ALS

ALS News Today Columns

My husband, Todd, began monitoring his breathing after he was diagnosed with ALS. We were told that he’d need to have surgery to insert a feeding tube before his forced ... Read more

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

Requiem for a Heavyweight Trio of Souls

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“And so castles made of sand Fall into the sea eventually.” — Jimi Hendrix From time to time, given my predilection for quoting songs in my columns, I’m asked whether ... Read more

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

These Strategies Can Help to Improve Emotional Well-being

ALS News Today Columns

Learning I had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was certainly a big adjustment. The changes to my life that slowly chipped away at my goals and sense of self made me ... Read more

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021

Getting Our Affairs in Order

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

In the days after my husband, Todd, was diagnosed with ALS, I was overwhelmed with what lay before us. But Todd went into preparation mode. “We need to sell the ... Read more

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021

Borrowing Pages From the Oktoberfest Playbook

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“What you need, my son Is a holiday in Cambodia Where people dress in black.” Those lyrics from the song “Holiday in Cambodia” by the punk rock band Dead Kennedys ... Read more

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021

Hanging From the Grab Bars of Humor in My ALS Life

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

I realize the words “ALS” and “humor” don’t always hang out together, but in my life they often do. I’ve been living with ALS since 2010, and over the years, ... Read more

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

Does It Ever Get Easier?

ALS News Today Columns

“Does caregiving for ALS ever get easier?” I pondered the question someone had posted on social media. I couldn’t sleep for days after my husband, Todd, was diagnosed. I was ... Read more

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021

When the Reaper Comes A-Knockin’, We Must Get A-Rockin’

ALS News Today Columns

When I was in elementary school, my mom would occasionally take my brother and me to Woolworth’s, our local five-and-dime store. We would often have lunch there, and my staple ... Read more

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021

3 Mistakes I Made During My First Year With ALS

ALS News Today Columns

Living with ALS has its challenges. For me, the first year after my ALS diagnosis was the hardest. Looking back, I made some mistakes and wasted time and energy that ... Read more

September 23, 2021September 23, 2021

What Happens When We Compare Our Lives With ALS

ALS News Today Columns

When our kids started school this fall, I had a sense of relief that my husband, Todd, made it to see our youngest begin middle school. He’s now at the ... Read more

September 22, 2021September 22, 2021

Fear Can Be a Double-edged Sword

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“Fear takes control — fear of the unknown Aware of what will hurt you You’re prepared to remain this way So sad yet safe with your afflictions Afraid to start ... Read more

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021

Just Another Day in Life With ALS

ALS News Today Columns

I inspected the fish through the curved glass of a refrigerated display case. Wild-caught Lake Superior whitefish and trout — both raw and smoked — lay in metal trays. “I’d ... Read more

September 15, 2021September 15, 2021

Awaiting the ‘Hope Begets Hope’ Aria

ALS News Today Columns

“Just what makes that little old ant Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant Anyone knows an ant can’t Move a rubber tree plant But he’s got high hopes …” ... Read more

September 14, 2021September 14, 2021

Planning and Preparing Help Me Live With ALS

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

Even though I believe I’m a pretty good planner and can strategize with the best of ‘em, last week threw me into a planning frenzy. I was anticipating my first ... Read more