This Rare Disease Day, We’re Grateful for Those Who Came Before Us
It is humbling to know that we are the beneficiaries of those who have gone before us. We stand on the shoulders of those who worked hard for us to benefit from their efforts…
Stretcher-Bearers — Lori Dunham
Lori Dunham and her family have lived all over the world thanks to the U.S. Navy. She has a degree in human resources but enjoys writing to encourage and inspire others. When her daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome at age 15, Lori sought community and encouragement from those walking a similar path. Lori’s mission in writing is to inspire and encourage those who find themselves in the role of caregiver. When she is not writing or homeschooling her two youngest, Lori enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with family. Currently they live in Jacksonville, Florida.
Featured Post
My daughter finally returned to one of her favorite activities
When my girls were 10 and 12, the Navy moved our family from the warm climate of Florida to the shores of New England. We embraced Connecticut wholeheartedly and couldn’t wait to see snow.
Read more
Our Daughter Is Seeing Positive Results From Rituxan
Receiving a diagnosis of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome can be overwhelming. For many, the journey likely entailed multiple visits to doctors and many years of waiting. When we received our daughter Grace’s diagnosis, we learned…
Connecting With Our Children in Meaningful Ways
When our daughter Grace began exhibiting troubling signs of muscle weakness at age 14, symptoms that eventually led to a diagnosis of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, our family quickly went into emergency mode. Our…
Equine-assisted Activities Have Restored Joy in Our Daughter’s Life
We live with a thief lurking among us. Whether it is due to Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) or another rare disease, we all feel the loss of what is…
Weighing the Pros and Cons of My Daughter’s IVIG Therapy
The first question I asked after my daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) was what types of treatments were available to her. I do not take it for…
After My Daughter’s Diagnosis, I Put Off Taking Care of Myself
I love the expectation, hope, and anticipation that comes with the dawning of a new year. Opening a newly purchased planner or journal and writing down all I hope…
As a Parent, Determining When to Step in to Help Is a Challenge
Raising a child with a physical disability can be a balancing act of sorts. It requires a balance between focusing attention on the child who needs extra care and the family’s other…
Living Purposefully in Our New Normal
Learning to live with a chronic illness takes some getting used to, and oftentimes adjustments are needed to help our loved ones live the life they envisioned for themselves. What came easily…
Catching Glimpses of Goodness
Our little girl was handed to us on a cool, gray April day in the back room of a government building in Nanchang, China. She had just celebrated her first…
Digging for a Diagnosis
Our story starts with a whole lot of waiting. I have never claimed to be a patient person, and when it came to my daughter Grace’s declining health, I was anything but…
We’re Staying Home for the Holidays
Christmas is by far my favorite time of the year. Holiday music, trimming the tree, baking cookies, family gatherings — none of this can happen soon enough or long enough for my…
The Job I Never Wanted
If you had told me three years ago that I would be writing about my daughter’s rare disease and my experiences as her caregiver, I would not have believed you.