Columns

As a kid, my mom would make me write a thank-you note to anyone who gave me a gift. It was an attempt to teach me gratitude, but I hated writing in cursive, which made my hand cramp up. I thought the process horribly old-fashioned and tedious, but I did…

In the world of chronic illness, everything seems to be viewed in terms of time. There’s no room for impatience when your body struggles with a long-term disease. If you make a change to your regimen for the good, such as an updated diet or exercise routine, it will…

Summer promises good weather, high spirits, and easy travel. There’s nothing like an old-fashioned road trip to capture the excitement and freedom of exploration. Though there might be a thunderstorm here and there, it’s tempting to get on the road and stay there till fall. For those of us with…

One evening last week, I reluctantly agreed to meet a friend at a dance studio. I had no intention of joining in. Me — a salsa dancer? Don’t be ridiculous! I’m a former soccer player with minimal dancing experience who often trips down the stairs. Confident that I could enter…

Exercise is an interesting topic in the world of autoimmune diseases. What type should we do? How much of it do we need? Are there specific concerns regarding cardio or other strenuous activities? After several years of living with vasculitis, I’ve found the answers aren’t all that complicated. If…

May is a gorgeous time of the year in the Midwest. Finally, the cold weather is past and we can enjoy the beauty of spring. Everyone’s spirits are high as we near the end of the school year, making plans for summer travel and other warm-weather entertainment. The celebratory feeling…

It’s common this time of year for us to get busy. Summer plans are brewing, students are graduating, and people are heading outdoors to enjoy the beautiful weather. Work obligations build up. The weeks slip by. There’s so many things on the calendar and so much distraction. Regardless of organizational…

Love is such a blurry concept. It can hurt or it can heal. It can be rewarding and fulfilling and beautiful — if we know what it is. And with an autoimmune disease, love takes on an entirely different meaning. The idea of “being in love,” as most sensible…

Many people think music is a luxury. Others call it a necessity. But everyone agrees that music is enjoyable and rounds out a full life with everything the earthly and spiritual worlds have to offer. As a vasculitis patient, I’d like to add one more level of consideration. Music to…

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — Norman Vincent Peale In a vasculitis lifestyle, shooting for the moon could mean hoping for a cure. We know it’s unrealistic to expect one so soon — after all, the group of disorders has only been…