One of the best days of my life was when my family and I brought home my dog, Andre. The second my eyes fell on him, I melted into a puddle, overwhelmed by his cuteness. He was the most adorable ball of fluff and I couldn’t fathom that…
You, Me and MD — Leah Leilani
Leah is a Southern California-based patient writer. She’s been an active member of the muscular dystrophy community since her regional ambassadorship with the MDA beginning at the age of 10 after her diagnosis of a rare neuromuscular disease, mitochondrial myopathy (Mito). Leah advocates for those with disabilities and promotes an understanding of her condition by evoking a positive outlook upon the obstacles she faces. Leah’s work doesn’t just stop at her column: she also doubles as a co-moderator on the MD News Forums. Away from her jobs, Leah is known among family and friends for her artistic creativity and outgoing personality.
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Dear readers, This will be my last column for Muscular Dystrophy News. I want to thank you for following along with “You, Me, and MD” and for supporting me. You are the reason I write, and I hope I have made some difference in your…
Leah Leilani -- You, Me and MD
Being a healthy able-bodied human being must be nice. Not having to worry about taking medications or planning out your day based on your energy levels. Not having to wonder if your next joyful jaunt will be ruined by nausea or heart palpitations. That sounds like bliss. Many…
In life, there are good and bad versions of everything. When it comes to doctors, some get lost in their egos or refrain from showing emotion in patient relations. Unfortunately, I have dealt with many of those types of doctors. Luckily, I now have wonderful physicians who help…
A few years ago, if you had asked me what it means to be eco-friendly, I would have given you the average answer: “Turning off your lights when you’re not using them and conserving water when possible. Being eco-friendly also includes recycling things made of plastic, glass, and…
All my life, I’ve been very lucky not to be burdened with food and eating problems. For a brief period as a young teen, I watched what I ate due to body dysmorphia, but it never was extreme. Thanks to my mom’s healthy eating habits and the…
Every now and then, when I see my reflection in a window or mirror, I’m surprised. Most of the time, I forget that I need a wheelchair to get around. Even in my dreams at night, I am as active as any able-bodied person. Of course, in…
Today, in 2018, the topic of mental health seems to be discussed more frequently than ever before. This is a great thing, however, understanding the signs and symptoms may still be a struggle for most people. Today, I’ll share my battles with mental illness and my thoughts surrounding…
As you all know, summer is upon us, and that means trying our best to stay cool. Here in Southern California, the June gloom is almost gone and that familiar, nostalgic feeling of summer has finally come. Pretty soon, everyone will be blasting their air conditioning and licking…
People can be downright rude when it comes to being around someone who’s different to them. You don’t really have to be in a wheelchair to know that. I learned a long time ago that adults are usually more judgmental that children. Kids are more curious. Of course,…
As you may know if you’ve read my columns before, my form of muscular dystrophy is called mitochondrial myopathy. It renders my body unable to produce enough energy to function properly. Although I’m homeschooled, which reduces the hours I spend learning, it still takes up valuable time and energy.
Second in a series. Read the first here. It’s no mystery that romantic relationships take effort. They’re not always full of sunshine and flowers. They require good communication, patience, trust, and understanding. That’s not easy even for the regular able-bodied couple. If you or your partner…
Part one of a series. Last summer, I was looking through some Bionews Services articles when I came across one about online dating. The young woman who wrote the article talked about how she never felt like she fit in at school and because of that, she hadn’t…
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