Many times over the years since the 1989 car crash that nearly killed me, I’ve been asked if I had any near-death or out-of-body experiences while I hung between life and death. I always try to clarify what people mean by these terms. If we’re talking about my spirit…
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) primarily affects muscles in the face, scapular region, and upper arms, hence the name. Progression is different for everybody, but the condition can eventually affect most, if not all, muscles in the body. As an additional “bonus,” FSHD also can cause nerve deafness, a condition…
My wife, Wendy, and I had a wonderful Sunday recently. We rose early and hit the road to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where we had lived for over 41 years before moving to Pittsburgh to be closer to our kids and grandkids. I’d agreed to play for the 10:30 a.m. service at…
I’m getting more comfortable using my walker. However, it just doesn’t pay to trust the darned thing. The other day in my bedroom, I was putting clothes away. I was planning to take a shower later in the day, so I thought I’d save myself some steps. I grabbed…
I’m currently continuing to do the exercises my physical therapist recommended during my last therapy session. However, it hasn’t been stopping the progression of my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). While I’m hoping the exercises are slowing the progression down, it seems like it gets harder every day for me…
Idlewild, which is near Ligonier, Pennsylvania, is an old-style amusement park that’s been around since the days when the gentry from Pittsburgh took the train to their summer homes in the foothills of the Laurel Highlands. It’s a wonderful park for all ages, but it’s absolutely perfect for…
As Western Pennsylvania natives, my wife, Wendy, and I are both Steelers fans. Naturally, when the Steelers played the Dallas Cowboys a couple weeks ago, we tuned in. If you’re not a football fan, you’re most likely unaware that the game was delayed for about an hour and a half…
I’ve been disabled for over 50 years, and I spent over 30 years working with people with disabilities. The language surrounding disability has evolved in that time. For the most part, that’s a good thing. As an example, person-first language has become more common. It’s more appropriate to introduce someone…
I’ve had a walker with wheels for a decade. I got it after back surgery in 2014 and used it for a month or so. As a blind person with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), I found it much more difficult to maintain my orientation without direct touch. I was…
My wife, Wendy, and I recently enjoyed a beach vacation in North Carolina with our family. That included our three children, Nicole, Jill, and Ryan, as well as their partners and our three grandkids, Iva, Julia, and Theo. Hurricane Debby moved out the day we moved in, and Tropical Storm…
Get regular updates to your inbox.