ALS News Today Columns

December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

Zooming Past My Previous Predictions

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

During these final weeks of 2020, I’ve been reflecting on the various ways this world health crisis has affected the ALS community. One evolving activity that has held my interest ... Read more

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020

Giving Thanks With 2020 Vision

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“I am a rock, I am an island, And a rock feels no pain.” In 2020, there have been none of Paul Simon’s “rocks” to be found in the social ... Read more

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

Growing Up With a Parent’s Illness

ALS News Today Columns

I cried as I listened to an episode of the “Everything Happens” podcast. Writer Samantha Irby described growing up with sick parents. When she was 9, her mom was diagnosed ... Read more

November 18, 2020November 18, 2020

Adapting With the Hope That a Tradition Can Be Toppled

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“Put me in, coach, I’m ready to play today, Look at me, I can be center field.” John Fogerty’s homage to an aspiring baseball player is reminiscent of my pre-ALS ... Read more

November 17, 2020November 17, 2020

Banishing Thought Loops and Living One Day at a Time

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

As one of the moderators for the ALS News Today Forums, I get to welcome new members and learn a little bit about each person. Many of these new members ... Read more

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

How ALS Affects the Hierarchy of Needs

ALS News Today Columns

I’ve written before about how the world has been shrinking for my husband, Todd, and me. Some activities, such as going on vacation or visiting people in their homes, became ... Read more

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020

Enjoying the Vagaries of Life’s Carnival Ride

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

“Run away, run away/ It’s the restless age/ Look away, look away/ You can turn the page/ … Take away, take away/ This house of mirrors/ Give away, give away/ ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020

Finding the Funny Moments in Caregiving

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

ALS is certainly a serious condition, and there is nothing funny about it, but many funny moments can happen. For my caregiver husband and me, holding on to a sense ... Read more

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020

‘Once Upon a Time’ Becomes ‘Once When He Still Could’

ALS News Today Columns

My office offers retreat, in that it only has wall décor we acquired before ALS upended our lives. Over my book case is a framed painting of Maine’s Bar Harbor ... Read more

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020

We Are Family: The Case For Reciprocating Care

ALS News Today Columns

“Your lifelong membership is free, Keep a-giving each brother all you can. Oh, aren’t you proud to be in that fraternity, The great big brotherhood of man?” Those lines, written ... Read more

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020

During National Family Caregivers Month, We Say Thank You!

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

Although it’s hard to find much to celebrate in 2020, this year happens to mark an important milestone for my husband and me. I’m celebrating achieving 10 years of living ... Read more

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

When Positivity Becomes a Problem

ALS News Today Columns

Last week, we had an early snowfall, even for Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. Snow frosted the tips of trees and blanketed the grass, leaving small bits of green peeking through. I ... Read more

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020

A Problem Warranting Animated Attention

ALS News Today Columns

“The world is covered by our trails / Scars we cover up with paint / Watch them preach in sour lies / I would rather see this world through the ... Read more

October 27, 2020October 27, 2020

Adding My Voice to a Valuable Study

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

I love being in win-win situations. We all do. Especially while world events continue to push the boundaries of our patience. And my latest project offers me many wins: It’s ... Read more

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

We Are Both Patients

ALS News Today Columns

I asked my husband, Todd, why he thought our relationship worked as well as it does. I was preparing to write a column about how we still love each other ... Read more