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.

Finding Ways to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat

Summer can present a host of problems for those living with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Heat and humidity are known to exacerbate muscle weakness. Our family lives in Florida, which presents many challenges for our daughter Grace, who is living with LEMS. Over time, we have come up with…

Finding Strategies to Slow Our Pace

I have spent most of my life in a rush. As someone with a Type A personality, I love to be organized and manage my time efficiently. A great day for me is full of activities and to-do lists. Every task seems to carry a sense of urgency. There…

In a Weak Moment, One Nurse Made All the Difference

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” — Mother Teresa  In my experience, if someone claims that you can’t make a difference in someone’s life, I’d guess they’ve never walked the hard road of…

A New Medication Has Given My Daughter Her Mornings Back

Recently, I wrote about our family’s periodic need to assess medication protocol. This helps us figure out what is and isn’t working. I am a caretaker of our 16-year-old daughter, Grace, who has Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). It is important that I communicate with her to determine…