Stretcher-Bearers – a Column by Lori Dunham

Lori Dunham and her family have lived all over the world, thanks to the U.S. Navy. She and her husband have three children and currently live in North Florida. At age 14, their daughter was diagnosed with the rare disease Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Lori’s mission in writing is to inspire and encourage those who find themselves in the role of caregiver to a loved one with a rare disease. When she is not writing or homeschooling her two youngest, Lori enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with family.

How a simple tendon reflex test indicated a major problem

No two stories are quite the same — particularly among those living with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). When our daughter Grace was diagnosed with the condition at age 15, I was desperate to find a story similar to hers. I needed to see what LEMS looked like in someone…

Managing the medical anxiety triggered by a single phone call

It started with a phone call. Our daughter Grace, who was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) at age 15, was due for her annual neurology appointment. Things had been pretty quiet with her health since her treatment plan was implemented almost four years ago. Grace has responded…

Facing long-distance travel challenges after a LEMS diagnosis

The first time we noticed our daughter Grace exhibiting symptoms of what we now know to be Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), we were in the airport traveling to Texas for Christmas. Our three kids were dragging their suitcases through the parking garage to the check-in counter. Suddenly, we…

A friend with LEMS shares her pregnancy journey

For women with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), it’s concerning that there are little to no data on pregnancy and LEMS. That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce Kristin Williams, a 31-year-old registered nurse from New York who has firsthand experience with both. Kristin and I met through the…

The LEMS community is making progress through advocacy

When our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) at age 15, I didn’t think anything good could come of it. However, as time has passed and her health has improved, I’ve found that some things have changed for the better. One positive result is Grace’s…