ALS News Today Columns

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

“Don’t the best of them bleed it out While the rest of them peter out? Truth or consequence, say it aloud Use that evidence, race it around There goes my ... Read more

July 27, 2021July 27, 2021

Don’t Let ALS Define Who You Are

ALS News Today Columns

Once in a while, a newly diagnosed ALS patient will reach out to me and ask for help in their adjustment to life with ALS. I’m always happy to share ... Read more

July 22, 2021July 22, 2021

The Many Challenges of Getting Out

ALS News Today Columns

Normally, we live much of our life at home. My husband, Todd, has ALS and is paralyzed. He spends his time in his wheelchair set up at his computer, and ... Read more

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

Time Travel With ALS: What If We Could?

ALS News Today Columns

I’ve been thinking about time travel after watching a couple movies with my husband, Todd, who has ALS. We enjoyed “About Time” during one of our date nights and “The ... Read more

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021

Babbling On About Current Events

ALS News Today Columns

“So, round and around and around we go, Where the world’s headed, nobody knows. Oh, great googa-mooga, can’t you hear me talking to you? Just a ball of confusion, Oh ... Read more

July 13, 2021July 13, 2021

2 Things That Make My Life With ALS a Little Safer

ALS News Today Columns

Among the many challenges of living with ALS are the physical symptoms of muscle stiffness and weakness. I have both. During my first year with ALS, I’d wake up and ... Read more

July 8, 2021July 8, 2021

The Pressure of Caregiving Makes Self-care Difficult

ALS News Today Columns

Knowing that so much is riding on me creates a lot of pressure. I don’t get sick days, vacation, or weekends off. Taking time off to attend to my health ... Read more

July 6, 2021July 6, 2021

How I Fine-tune the Voices in My Head

ALS News Today Columns

I’ll admit to hearing voices — the voices in my head, that is. We’re all listening to our mental voices. It’s the constant chatter of inner dialogue or self-talk that leapfrogs ... Read more

July 1, 2021July 1, 2021

Grabbing Bits of Beauty to Rejuvenate

ALS News Today Columns

“I am so sick of being sick,” Todd said. He’s having trouble kicking this bug that he’s been fighting for two weeks. His lungs keep filling with mucus, and I ... Read more

June 30, 2021June 30, 2021

United We Stand, Divided I Fall

ALS News Today Columns

“It wasn’t me she was foolin’, ‘Cause she knew what was she was doin’, When she told me how to walk this way.” Run-DMC’s hip hop adaptation of the Aerosmith ... Read more

June 29, 2021June 29, 2021

Will This ‘New Normal’ Ever Feel Normal Again?

ALS News Today Columns, COVID-19 Columns

The other day while watching TV, I heard the newscaster announce, “We’re in the ‘new normal’ folks, and everybody wants to get out and travel again!” “Well, I don’t,” I ... Read more

June 24, 2021June 24, 2021

ALS + a Cold = Stress x 10

ALS News Today Columns

My husband, Todd, came down with a cold last week. At this stage of his ALS progression, any cold is life-threatening. His lungs fill up with mucus, and he needs ... Read more

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021

A Moment of Silence: Craving a ‘Re-lease’

ALS News Today Columns

“He wants to give the answers but his words are only Answers to nothing … They think this is the answer, But their thoughts are only Answers to nothing.” — ... Read more

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021

How I Shift Into ALS Manual Mode

ALS News Today Columns

To help me get through the ups and downs of living with ALS, I’ve created several mental games. Perhaps they’ll help you, too. For example, when life around me isn’t ... Read more

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021

Remembering Our Shared History Strengthens Our Relationship

ALS News Today Columns

“Can you believe our little Fafa finished ninth grade?” I asked my husband, Todd, as I flushed his feeding tube. He laughed, and we took a trip down memory lane. ... Read more