FAP News Today Columns

September 15, 2021September 15, 2021

How Caregivers Can Cultivate Endurance and Find Purpose

COVID-19 Columns, FAP News Today Columns

The 3rd European ATTR Amyloidosis Meeting for Patients and Doctors was held virtually on Sept. 6-8. Because the New Zealand Amyloidosis Patients Association, which I lead, is associated with the ... Read more

September 8, 2021September 8, 2021

How Labels Can Influence Our Actions

FAP News Today Columns

My husband and I were married on March 15, 1995. Looking back at these 26 years, I can see the gray and black stain of trials. However, our marriage has ... Read more

September 1, 2021September 1, 2021

Caring for Yourself as a Caregiver

COVID-19 Columns, FAP News Today Columns

The melodic chirping of birds outside the window is louder this morning. This is because Auckland, the city in New Zealand where I live with my husband and our four ... Read more

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021

How Caregivers Can Be Aware of the Swinging Pendulum of Emotions

FAP News Today Columns

It is interesting how human emotions can fluctuate like the ebb and flow of the tide. I am usually upbeat and composed, but at the drop of a hat, I ... Read more

August 18, 2021August 18, 2021

Cultural Differences: The Importance of Finding a Balance in Caregiving

FAP News Today Columns

Those of us who are caregivers have many of the same underlying goals. But while we all care for our ill loved ones, our approach to caring can vary. Some ... Read more

August 11, 2021August 11, 2021

The Importance of Mental Pliability for Caregivers

COVID-19 Columns, FAP News Today Columns

I returned to the gym this week to work out. The last time I hit exercise classes and equipment was in 2016, shortly before my husband’s liver transplant, and three ... Read more

August 4, 2021August 4, 2021

As Caregivers, Anticipating the Worst Allows Us to Be Prepared

FAP News Today Columns

As a caregiver, have you ever felt like you’ve been thrown into the deep end and are treading water just to survive? Perhaps this overwhelming experience doesn’t happen regularly enough ... Read more

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021

How to Prevent Burnout When Caring for a Loved One

FAP News Today Columns

Today, I’d like to talk about caregiver burnout, which extends beyond the physical burnout of completing various caregiving tasks. It also entails more than feeling helpless when a caregiver is ... Read more

July 21, 2021July 21, 2021

Doing Life Together When Diagnosed With Amyloidosis

FAP News Today Columns

In my role as a leader of the New Zealand Amyloidosis Patients Association, I’ve had the privilege of forging relationships with many wonderful human beings. The people I’ve met while ... Read more

July 14, 2021July 14, 2021

Staying Positive as Someone Affected by Rare Disease

FAP News Today Columns

No matter what you’re going through or where you are, know you are not alone. Suffering from a rare illness like hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (hATTR) is filled with daily challenges, ... Read more

July 7, 2021July 7, 2021

I’m Hoping for a Better Future for Those With Amyloidosis

FAP News Today Columns

If you are a fresh set of eyes and have newly stumbled onto my column, welcome to the world of an amyloidosis caregiver. My husband was diagnosed in 2013 with ... Read more

June 30, 2021June 30, 2021

My Husband and I Are Finding a New Balance in Life With Amyloidosis

FAP News Today Columns

I was in the car with my daughters earlier today, and as we turned onto a busy street, we saw cars already lining up to beat rush hour. It was ... Read more

June 23, 2021June 23, 2021

Sufferers Are More Than Their Afflictions

FAP News Today Columns

Lately I’ve had to remind my husband that he is not his disease. Aubrey was diagnosed in 2013 with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, and after eight years, his impairment has become ... Read more

June 16, 2021June 16, 2021

Why It’s Important for the Rare Disease Community to Avoid Isolation

COVID-19 Columns, FAP News Today Columns

By the time this column is published, nearly two weeks will have passed since the kick-off of the two-day New Zealand Patients, Carers & Healthcare Practitioners Amyloidosis Conference. I helped organize ... Read more

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021

Looking at Life’s Challenges Through a Different Lens

FAP News Today Columns

I often write about the challenges I face as a carer to a spouse afflicted with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. I highlight the heavy impact this disease has had on me ... Read more