Columns

I saw one of my middle school teachers the other day. Two decades have passed since I was in her religion class. She saw Zeego, my service dog, as he curiously sniffed around the occupational therapy clinic where my friend Will works.

I’m realizing that short-term disability insurance provides value beyond the financial benefit. Of course, the continued flow of income is important when it helps sustain your overall well-being and allows you to remain independent. My state-sponsored disability insurance helped me to stay on top of my recurring bills,…

I have been in many social situations where I have blown it. Almost every encounter, actually. I plan to relay a certain message, and my words come out differently than I’d intended. It’s ironic that I majored in communication but lack the skills to express myself.

Did you know that one in 20 people will live with a rare disease at some point in their lifetime? Rare Disease Day, on Feb. 29, is a global initiative to help raise awareness of the more than 6,000 known rare diseases that affect an estimated 300 million…

The sky turned pinkish and the clouds became bright blue as the Louisiana sun reached its western-most point and began to retreat from this summer day. It was five years ago. My mom’s friends had brought their 7-year-old nephew over to swim. I was playing…

Change seldom happens by accident or coincidence, especially when it involves other people, such as with rules, laws, policies, job promotions, and so on. The weather and the ocean tide will change no matter what we do or don’t do, but the rules of aviation and fishing will…

I can’t believe it’s February 2020! This is an important month for the rare disease community as we unite and acknowledge one another’s illnesses. Rare Disease Day falls on the last day of February — a rare month with its fewer days. It’s even rarer this time because 2020…

I have a chip on my shoulder from living with a rare neuromuscular disease. I feel the need to be accepted and welcomed by today’s society, and I set high expectations for the people I meet. But I have come to realize that people with disabilities need to treat others…

I was the weird kid who asked my mom to fix me a plate of spinach as an after-school snack. Most of my friends only ate spinach to appease their parents and earn the right to dessert. Don’t get me wrong: I love cookies and cakes probably more than most…

Those who know me know that I have little, if any, tolerance for poor service. I’m sure this is deeply rooted in my years of working in the service industry. I’ve worked in restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores. All three jobs put me face-to-face with guests and customers.

The world is still in shock over the loss of NBA legend Kobe Bryant. A heaviness lingers over Los Angeles, along with an overwhelming sense of, “What do we do now?” I can’t believe I am writing this column. I won’t talk about Kobe’s accolades or his accomplishments as…

Sometimes we need to take a break, to relax and breathe. Many stresses can affect young adults, including money, work deadlines, cost of living, and family issues, among others. When you add living with a chronic illness like Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), anxiety and worry can easily test you. The…