Articles

A few months ago, I decided to go off my nerve painkillers because I was getting recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and was trying to find the culprit. However, they...

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) last played with my vision eight long years ago. Still feels like just yesterday. Some days I forget I have vision issues, and some days I feel...

So here I was on the 5th the day of my ICU stay, waiting for some news on the numbers of tests being run on me. I was admitted as...

Plasmapheresis is a complex therapy which I’ve undergone four times in my journey with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Every time I’ve completed a treatment my results are phenomenal. But what is...

Living with a rare disease like neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has put me in a position to feel alone. When I was first diagnosed with a rare disease, I never knew...

Being back in New York is almost like a gift. It just feels so right. But also being back means I need to start making some big changes. I used...

Through my journey with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), there have been highs and lows. For me it has been 10 years since I have been in a wheelchair due to my...

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...

I record everything. Since the day I was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), I have always felt the need to record and take pictures of my journey. From the symptoms...

Ever since I was a child, my life has been nothing but a comedy of medical errors. I am one of those people who would not catch the normal flu...

Receiving a chronic health diagnosis changes your priorities. Learning about the disease and how to advocate for yourself becomes critical. This is especially important when living with a rare disease...

It’s been a long journey with neuromyelitis optica (NMO). I’ve had to learn how to better help my health and learn new ways to do things. I’ve also had to...

Confidence is the most beautiful aura one can wear in public. The feeling of wearing an invisible security blanket around yourself and loving every part of your being is priceless...

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...

It’s been several years since my last full blown family holiday season. Now that I think about it, been about five years. Holidays used to be so big and important...

The first year of my diagnosis was rough. I’ve never felt so alone, so unwanted and so broken in my life. The friends that I had were slowly burning out...

My neuromyelitis optica (NMO) wish list: As the iconic song “All I want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey goes, it opens the Christmas spirit in me and most of...

Editor’s note: In this article, we use the word "woman" to refer to people with 2 X chromosomes and "man" to refer to people with an X and a Y...

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...

I had my spinal tap whilst staying in hospital during my first attack. I wanted to avoid it as much as possible because at the time, every time I moved...