Leah Leilani,  —

Initial misdiagnosis is a common experience of those living with chronic illnesses. Many diseases have similar characteristics, and during the process of elimination, patients can receive an incorrect diagnosis.  In previous columns, I have written about my early developmental delays. I’ve shared my tips for teachers…

The time when a girl’s body matures into that of a young woman isn’t how it’s portrayed in the movies — at least it wasn’t for me. I didn’t celebrate it by jumping up and down for joy. I wouldn’t have even if I could without ending up…

A few weeks ago, I attended the Los Angeles Abilities Expo for the first time. Because I am now a moderator for the Muscular Dystrophy News Forums, I thought it would be a great opportunity to inspire some topic discussions. My mom attended a few Abilities Expos in the…

I received my mitochondrial myopathy diagnosis 13 years ago. I became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) soon afterward. The organization is known for its Labor Day telethons previously hosted by the late actor and comedian Jerry Lewis. Each year, the telethon featured performances by…

Teachers must educate classes full of rambunctious, bored kids while trying to keep them engaged and quiet. Having a student with disabilities can add a whole new layer of complications to a teacher’s strenuous job.  My disease caused many developmental delays, including an inability to walk until…

Managing one’s health while living with a disability requires much more than regular trips to the doctor and excessive amounts of medications. For those with disabilities, daily life can be a bit gross at times. I believe that it is good to discuss theses issues. It creates awareness…

A couple weeks ago, a blogger with mitochondrial myopathy posted an interesting piece of advice in her Instagram story: “Instead of telling disabled kids ‘You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it,’ I think we should tell them, ‘The things you are…

Many YouTubers create meaningful content about their lives with disability and chronic illness. By showing what it’s like to live with physical obstacles, they create awareness and inspire others in similar circumstances. Such videos have introduced me to many helpful medical aids and products.  Recently, I found…

Spoiler alert: This column reveals some plot details of the newly released film “The Upside.” All over the world, members of the disabled community are discussing the recently released movie “The Upside,” featuring Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart. The movie has generated much controversy because Cranston is…

In this day and age, when we have so much awareness about diversity, it surprises me how judgmental people can still be. It was rare 60 years ago to see someone with a disability out and about, much less living a relatively typical lifestyle with a job and…