Can your eyes show health problems related to LEMS?
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.
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.
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The need to make connections in the LEMS community
I’m a product of the 1970 and ’80s. We grew up with big hair, neon fashion, and the rise of music videos on MTV. I can remember sleeping on the floor of our family…
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Catching up with a friend about LEMS and her concussion recovery
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…
Family caregivers and where they find their strength
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…
Finding ways to beat the heat is crucial for those with LEMS
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…
Why we’ve decided to decrease my daughter’s Mestinon dosage
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…
Our family priorities changed when LEMS became a fixture
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…
How I’m trying to manage stress while living with LEMS
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,…
On LEMS Awareness Day, let’s continue to grow our community
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…
Annual MDA conference prompts solidarity, gratitude, and hope
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…
The uncharted territory of pregnancy and Lambert-Eaton
I vividly remember trips to the library as a young girl when a research paper was due. Once there, I’d trudge to the reference section and spend hours hunting for answers and information from…
We’ve never had more opportunities for raising awareness
The World Health Organization considers a disease rare when it strikes fewer than 65 people per 100,000. Here in the United States, a disease is considered rare when fewer than 200,000 people are…
With hindsight, some things I’d change during our LEMS journey
Parenting comes with the danger of holding on to a lot of regret. As our kids grow up and move into adulthood, we can fall into the trap of blaming ourselves for all kinds…