Working Through the Process — Robin Stemple

Last summer, I wrote a column about my beach vacation with my family. It was an incredible trip, but I had my doubts about future travel. With my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)…

In a daily devotional I’m reading titled “Incurable Faith: 120 Devotions of Lasting Hope for Lingering Health Issues,” author Andrea Herzer describes pain as a thief, stealing her joy. Her words ring true for…

I’m an early riser. As I mentioned in a past column, I like to wake up early, get dressed, make coffee, and start the day with some quiet prayer and devotion time. However,…

I’m between two anniversaries. Today is the 36th anniversary of the collision I had with a drunk driver that cost me my eyesight and almost cost me my life. Saturday will be my 45th…

If you’ve read any of my recent columns, you know that I’ve had a lot of health struggles of late. I’m back on the medical merry-go-round with physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical appointments,…

In a recent column, I talked about paring down my music rig and retiring my accordion. Over the years, I’ve transitioned from a 120-bass professional accordion to a 32-bass student model that, while less…

I have friends and family who seem to be living on a medical merry-go-round. Every day they go to doctor’s appointments, have medical tests, or go through therapy. Their lives revolve around their healthcare.

I was tempted to do a play on the show “America’s Got Talent” and title this column “FSHDers got talent,” but I knew the improper grammar wouldn’t get past my excellent editors. That being…

When I was 13 and my brother, Tim, was 16, we got skis for Christmas. I’m not sure why Mom and Dad decided to get them for us. Jeannette High School, my alma mater,…

I’ve played music since I was 5 years old. My first professional playing job was as an accordionist in a Polish polka band when I was 13. My accordion at the time was a…

One thing I was born with, aside from my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), was narrow feet. As part of a working-class family, where money always seemed to be in short supply, my feet…