It has now been four years since my ALS diagnosis, coming right before Christmas 2016. I have had five Christmases living with ALS. I am feeling very fortunate but also struggling emotionally as there have been some significant physical changes affecting me lately. My next post will update you on these new challenges. My daughter… Continue reading An ALS Story
ALS Action
As many of you know, I spend part of my time advocating for ALS treatments and research, and trying to raise awareness. I know that some of you probably wonder why, since I have lost so much function any new treatments would most likely come too late for me. Living with this disease is like… Continue reading ALS Action
Hitting Fast Forward
I want to begin by apologizing for the delay in getting this post out. I appreciate the messages of concern, but I am actually doing pretty well physically. My mind has just been preoccupied and as some of you know, Fall is a difficult time for me emotionally. I also want to apologize for not… Continue reading Hitting Fast Forward
Kids These Days!!
I hear this often, and it's not usually in a positive context. As a person living with several disabilities, I have been given a unique perspective on the subject. I am happy to report that my experiences have been extremely positive with today's youth. Last year, our family took a trip to Northern BC to… Continue reading Kids These Days!!
Oh the Fear!
I have had quite a few people ask me my thoughts on the Covid-19 situation and if I am scared by it. I won't debate the merits of wearing masks, whether kids should be going back to school or whether the case numbers are accurate, as all of these have been discussed to death everywhere.… Continue reading Oh the Fear!
Humanity in the Midst of an Eye Exam
Last weekend I went for an eye exam as I have been having some issues with sensitivity and because it's been three years since my last visit. I went back to the optometrist, Dr. Maye Doldolea, I had found when we moved from Calgary. When I saw her last, I was still able to speak,… Continue reading Humanity in the Midst of an Eye Exam
ALS Advocacy
June was ALS Awareness month in Canada and a group of us living with ALS in BC sent a collective letter with our own individual stories to the provincial government's health minister and our respective MLAs. I have posted my letter here so you get a sense of what we are working towards. I… Continue reading ALS Advocacy
17 Years and Counting…
Last weekend marked Cory's and my 17th wedding anniversary. In some respects it feels like yesterday, and in others it feels like a lot longer. We have experienced so much in the years between I do and now; two children, multiple houses, residing in a few different cities and several jobs. With much more peppered… Continue reading 17 Years and Counting…
A Bad Day
I recently had a really bad day...I was going to say it was the worst, but with ALS I have come to realize that things can always get worse. I used to use that phrase so loosely- I have had the worst day!! Now I have to wrack my brain to remember what I considered… Continue reading A Bad Day
Spring Break 2020
Such a crazy time...the COVID-19 Spring Break will definitely go down in history. When Spring Break began one week ago, things looked a lot different than they do now. The only people being asked to isolate were those returning from out of country travel. Gatherings of 50 people were still allowed. Gyms, restaurants and playgrounds… Continue reading Spring Break 2020