Stretcher-Bearers – a Column by Lori Dunham

Not long ago, my family traveled to San Francisco to visit our son and his new wife. It was our first chance to travel since our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). One of the highlights of the trip, after seeing our son…

It has been just over a year since I began writing this column, “Stretcher-Bearers.” What a blessing it has been to become a part of this community and to be able to share information and words of encouragement. Since I write mostly about my daughter’s experience…

As we enter what I consider to be the most wonderful time of the year, I reflect on why this season of giving is so magical. Does it really have anything to do with the gifts under the tree, the parties, or the Christmas lights? Many of us fill…

I have come to appreciate the act of learning late in life. Until recently, I had taken for granted the ability to go to school, learn, and be educated in the field of my choosing. It was something I was expected to do, so I did it, mostly with little…

It’s often true that we never really know how much we treasure something until we no longer have it. We can also tend to take things for granted in life by never truly appreciating what we have until it’s taken from us. I found this to be true of sleep…

“I don’t want my pain and struggle to make me a victim. I want my battle to make me someone else’s hero.” — Unknown I never gave much thought to those living with chronic illness until our family experienced it firsthand. Now that our daughter Grace lives with Lambert-Eaton…

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” — J.R.R. Tolkien The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us. In my eyes, the Christmas season begins Nov. 1 and gloriously continues through the end of…

We live only two hours from “The Happiest Place on Earth,” so it’s no surprise that we used to frequent Disney World. Each year, my children would push me to ride bigger and scarier rides. I’m more of a Tilt-A-Whirl kind of girl, but my kids love rides like…

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — L. M. Montgomery, “Anne of Green Gables” October has always been one of my favorite months. I grew up in the beautiful Northeast of the U.S., where autumn meant driving down back roads lined with towering…

My daughter, Grace, is an animal lover, always wanting to rescue the homeless or sheltered dog, the stray cat, or the random gerbil that needs a new home. So it was no surprise to me when she asked about getting a service animal after she was diagnosed with…