On My Own Two — Young Lee

Sometimes it feels like some of us live in separate worlds with different rules and dynamics. I’ve noticed this while chatting with friends, co-workers, and even strangers about Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), my symptoms, and what it’s like…

A few weeks ago I saw my primary care physician for a routine physical exam, the first I’ve had in person since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I updated him on significant life events and asked a…

I don’t know if it’s possible to live with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) without developing a long-term relationship with physical pain. Recognizing this, the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) provides a guide to common pain remedies called the “…

I’m an Asian American with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Of course, I’m more than this, but these two cherished identities of mine interact with each other, sometimes in profound ways. The way I experience life as an Asian American…

At my day job, I work in a midsized public library system, which I really enjoy. I help folks find books and other resources and work to make them feel more connected to their community. We don’t charge for…

If being a man truly meant being as swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, all while being as mysterious as the dark…

There’s no road map of what to expect with a disability or chronic condition such as my disease, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). Sure, I have typical symptoms to consider: weak hands and ankles, foot drop, fatigue, and chronic pain. But…

It’s getting colder in my corner of the United States. I can feel it in my hands. For me, it’s not just the sensation of the chilly atmosphere nipping at my bare skin. My hand strength also seems to…

A few weeks ago, I spoke with John Nixon, a bodybuilder with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), about his experiences in the sport. During our video chat, Nixon highlighted one key reason for his appreciation of fitness and bodybuilding:…

John Nixon, like me, has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Based on how he tells his story, the CMT symptoms he’s dealt with since childhood are more severe than mine. When we spoke a couple of weeks ago via…

From a cursory internet search, it’s easy to find many articles that describe certain Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) symptoms as mild. Some even refer to types of CMT that way. For years, I didn’t think too much about it.