As you may know, the influenza virus has been very intense this season, resulting in many hospitalizations and more than a few deaths. One of the reasons is that this year’s strain of flu is referred to as H3N2. It is supposedly the worst of two…
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
If you’re like me and have been closely monitored by a cardiologist for one reason or another (mine is tachycardia and cardiomyopathy), then you probably have or will have a heart monitor. A Holter heart monitor is a device that is used to record your…
A good support system is crucial to getting through the endless roller coaster that is life, whether or not you have an illness. Without the love and support of my friends and family, I don’t know whom or where I’d be. Creating a good support system can take…
It can be tough to know how to stay organized for doctor’s appointments. It’s virtually impossible without the proper advice and guidance. You may have questions for your doctor whirling around in your head about the seemingly endless list of medications. It can be overwhelming. For the past…
Well, everyone, it is officially 2018! A new year means new beginnings, new opportunities and more chances to live the life we want. I will be honest and say that, for me, 2017 had ups and downs. There were struggles and hardships that forced me to learn some…
When people ask me what my favorite season is I always say winter. I find that it’s much easier to warm up your body than to cool it down. Many of you probably know the struggle that comes with regulating body temperature when constantly sitting. It’s harder for…
I’ve been drawing and sketching ever since I could pick up a marker. For me, drawing isn’t just a hobby or a way to pass time, it’s a passion. It’s a part of me. Although I have taken art classes, I’ve never actually been taught how to…
When you have a friend or family member who’s experiencing health problems, your first thought might be to pray for physical healing. At times, it feels as if that’s the only way to help. But, as someone living with a chronic illness/disability, physical healing may not be…
Everyone’s idea of what makes for a happy life is different. For example, some people like traveling all over the world or have a bucket list of places to go and things to do. On the other hand, some people simply want to have a good career and…
It’s not always easy to be positive with a disability, especially in the beginning. It’s hard to see your friends do things that you can’t. The stares are hard to ignore, and there are people who simply don’t want to understand your situation. It doesn’t make life any easier, but…
With technology at our fingertips, being unplugged and off grid can seem like something that exists only in a fiction novel. New smartphones come out each year, cars have built-in wifi, and music and television can be accessed from our almost anywhere. Just like everything in life, technology has its pros…
In 1965, a coach for the University of Florida football team — the Gators — noticed that his players were being affected by heat-related illnesses. The coach then asked a team of physicians to determine the exact cause for his players falling ill. The physicians discovered that the team was…
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