Columns

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) progression accelerating, I had to acknowledge that future travel might be difficult, if not impossible. My daughter…

Last Sunday, my girlfriend, Amanda, and I co-led an art workshop that brought us both joy. The accessible art journaling session, “Why your story matters: Where art meets wellness,” was held at the Bishan Public Library in the northern part of Singapore and was part of the National Library Board’s…

Amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, many people tend to put off what I like to call “after-life” planning. It sounds a bit less scary than “end-of-life.” When I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 12, long-term planning never crossed my mind. (Do any…

Years ago, I had my colors done: I’m a winter. Dark blues, greens, scarlets, royal hues, red, black, and hot pink look best on me. I don’t always follow these guidelines, but I own a few statement pieces in these shades and wear them when I feel confident. On Tuesday,…

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 me as I navigate life with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and other health issues. Relentless…

July is my favorite month. Many people who know me might be surprised by that, as they’re aware that I’m a Christmas enthusiast who loves to decorate, making my house look like the North Pole for nearly eight weeks every winter. I spend the other 10 months of the year…

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in a unique event designed for higher education students here in Singapore. It’s offered by Youth Corps Singapore to foster a sense of service among the next generation of leaders. As one of three ambassadors representing the Muscular Dystrophy…

The reward is that the chocolate cake tastes delicious and leaves you with a nice feeling. The risk is that you just spiked your sugar intake and may gain a few calories that take time and effort to burn off. The risk is that you may get injured, but the…

Summer vacation in the Midwest typically begins in mid-May, and kids return to school by mid-August. Here in Nebraska, that puts us halfway through summer break already. Like most moms, I’m feeling a mix of emotions: grief as I anticipate the end of these few precious weeks home with my…

Summer is a great time to be outside, travel, attend neighborhood gatherings, and spend time with people you love. But those of us who live our adult lives with chronic illness face challenges in this season, as well as year-round. Still, there are many ways for us to enjoy…