Helen Lear-Grant

I want to share a piece of my journey with you, a journey that has been significantly altered by one little bottle of Rituxan. That bottle might not look like...

I've certainly had my share of unexpected twists and turns since my diagnosis with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). This autoimmune disorder shook up my life plans, forcing me to adapt to...

Getting a diagnosis for a mysterious ailment can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It's frustrating, disheartening, and sometimes downright infuriating. My journey to an accurate diagnosis...

Imagine going to the doctor for help, but they don't take your symptoms seriously or tell you it's all in your head. This is called medical gaslighting. It can make...

Life is a beautiful journey filled with ups and downs. It's natural for us to experience a wide range of emotions as we go through life. However, society's focus on...

When I tell people about my condition, they expect that my lowest point must have been in hospital after my first neuromyelitis optica (NMO) attack. I was paralysed from the...

Since my Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) diagnosis in 2014, I find it hard to strike the right balance between enjoying a bit of reflection and spending too much time with my...

I was working in management for a charity organization in 2014 when I had my first Neuromyelitis Optica attack. I haven’t been able to work conventionally since. That's due to...

My first neuromyelitis-optica attack seemed to happen rapidly and dramatically. Although I had known something was wrong for months, it was only 48 hours from realizing I couldn’t pee to...

I knew something was wrong for a couple of months. I kept making appointments with my doctor to discuss new symptoms that were appearing daily. First, it was searing hot...

My wife is also my caregiver. It’s a fine balancing act between our romantic relationship and the practical support I need due to my Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). We’d only been...

Not everyone diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica, or NMO, will need to use a wheelchair. However, some people do become full-time wheelchair users, and some people, like me, might use a...

Living with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) doesn’t mean you have to say no to adventure. It just takes a little more planning. As a Scotland-based disability travel blogger, I’m a big...