Stretcher-Bearers — Lori Dunham

Our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in July 2019, when she was just 15 years old. To say this diagnosis changed our lives is an understatement. Grace’s health deteriorated rapidly. We had…

So many people in this world live isolated lives. Add in a rare disease and we can feel very alone. I’m grateful that we in the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) community have one another. We come from…

Life changed when our daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). As her health declined rapidly and drastically, it was hard to watch her lose mobility and control of her body. But over time, her…

My daughter Grace was in fifth grade when I got a call from the school nurse. She asked me to come to the school to get Grace because she was complaining of a headache. Once at home, Grace explained…

Before I started writing my column, “Stretcher-Bearers,” for this website, Dawn DeBois wrote the column “LEMme Tell Ya” about her journey with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). In September 2020, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) forced…

As I grow older, I’ve come to love waking up before dawn. I often sit on my back porch sipping a steaming cup of tea while the world comes alive. Here in Florida, we’re fortunate to live next to…

This time each year, our home in Florida is filled with a palpable excitement as summer quickly approaches. The school year is winding down, our days are growing long, and cool air wafts in through our screen doors and…

Note: This column describes the experiences of the author’s daughter with Mestinon (pyridostigmine). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. A lot can happen in…

Our family has had the opportunity to live in some pretty incredible places, thanks to the U.S. Navy. One of our favorite places to live was La Maddalena, a town in the Sardinian islands west of Italy’s mainland.

Every now and then, I have one of those days when nothing goes right. The unexpected happens and throws off the whole day’s routine. I had one such day last week. That particular morning, I slept through my alarm,…

I remember the moment I realized our daughter Grace had Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) like it was yesterday. It was a hot, summer day in Florida. I had sequestered myself on our outdoor balcony to look through her…

I have trained myself to look for the good in situations throughout my adult life. It’s not always easy. When my daughter Grace was diagnosed with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), I never thought I’d see good come…