Articles

Recently, I found out from one of my friends that someone from my school had said that I was faking my illness for attention, when I first made my Instagram...

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...

NMO has changed me in many ways. From odd ways of saving me to taking away things I love. Some things I had to learn to give up and others...

Sometimes, it’s like my brain is in a revolving door. The thoughts spin fast, sometimes slow or not at all. My brain’s exhaustion is from my thoughts constantly dancing pirouettes...

I remember being 12, hiding in my mother’s room, and using all her makeup without her knowing. I wasn’t good at it at all, but after years of practice I...

If you have ever felt dismissed by a doctor, you may have experienced a type of bias (prejudice) called medical gaslighting. Medical gaslighting can happen to anyone, but it most...

Driving, for me, is an essential part of life. Especially where I live. It’s how I transport my kids to and from school, activities, my medical appointments, work and more...

You constantly hear the phrase that you need to advocate for yourself with doctors and in appointments you hear how you need to stand up for yourself. And, if you...

It had been a little over a year since my last visit and I was excited for new contacts. My eyes have been a little off but I figured I...

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...

By definition, mental health is taking care of psychological, emotional, and social well-being but for me (mine slightly injured mental health) was an inseparable friend that I’ve had for a...

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO) is a disease that affects the central nervous system. NMO breaks down a protective coating around neurons that helps them transmit signals, called myelin. NMO...

Over the triumphs and tribulations of dealing with NMO, I’ve had to adapt my home. Thankfully, I have a handy husband who love home projects (said no husband ever) and...

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 was born in Scotland, but my mother is from Pakistan, so I have a lot of family there including my grandmother. I haven’t been out of the United Kingdom...

At just 19, I was diagnosed with NMO, which as I’m sure many of us know are the prime party years. These are the years where you go to college...

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...

Public speaking is one of the most feared things in the human race. We are so fearful of the judgment of other people that speaking to large groups of people...

I've learned a few things about self-advocacy since the beginning of my journey with frequent doctor’s visits. It can be intimidating to ask questions during your medical appointments because you...

Being diagnosed at 19, I didn’t have much of a voice. Let’s be honest–I was still coming into adulthood, figuring out who I was, and my place in this world...