Jill was diagnosed with CMT 1A at the age of 2. She is a fourth-grade teacher and mom to a teenage son, who also has CMT. Jill loves photography, travel, and spending time with family and friends. She researches and writes tips that make life with disability a little easier.
I was recently reminded why I avoid the grocery store on a Sunday morning: the crowds! I find it difficult to navigate a crowded store, especially when there are shopping carts and other items blocking the aisles. This is not only an issue at the grocery store. As my Charcot-Marie-Tooth…
I burned my finger the other day. I didn’t feel it right away, which is not that odd of an occurrence for me. Often, I don’t feel the heat and don’t realize I have burned myself while cooking. I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 1A, which may affect the feeling in…
I recently read an article in the Virginia Journal of Education that made me think about my feelings toward my mobility aids. The author, Kelly Hickok, is a wheelchair user, and she described how mobility aids give her a sense of freedom. She wrote, “We don’t view our wheelchairs…
I’ve been seeing a lot of articles on the importance of self-care. Self-care involves looking after your mental, physical, and emotional health. Self-care is not a new concept, but it seems to be increasingly popular, maybe because people are becoming more aware of the mind-body connection. As a…
September is Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Awareness Month, a great time to bring attention to this little-known disease. I have CMT1AÂ and wear ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs). Many of my family members suffer from the disease, as well. However, there’s more to us than our disease. To educate others about CMT, I…
Apparently, magnesium is the latest miracle substance. It can supposedly help with many different ailments, from muscle pain to anxiety and sleeplessness. This makes me wonder whether it can help with the symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Magnesium plays an important role in how our bodies work. Among other…
September is CMT Awareness Month in the United States — a dedicated time to share and educate others about Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). CMT is one of the most commonly inherited neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders…
I love fall and the start of the new school year. It’s when I return to teaching and readjust to a routine of work, school, and activities. But summer’s end can be overwhelming, and even more so with a disability. I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and am finding some aspects…
For the first time, I posted a picture of me with my cane and braces on social media. And guess what? No one even noticed. This is a big deal. I talk about Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and my ankle-foot orthoses, but showing the world is scary. People can be cruel…
I am not fashion-savvy and don’t really follow the latest trends. However, I enjoy scrolling through Instagram to see the latest fashion blogs. I love to look at the cute outfits but quickly realize that I can’t wear them. These fashion influencers and bloggers are fun to follow and…
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