On June 21—the summer solstice—people from around the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer's through a fundraising activity of their choice, an initiative of the Alzheimer's Association on the longest day of the year during Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. On July 22, World Brain Day will be commemorated by neurologists and other professionals, people with neurologic disorders, families, caregivers, and national and international organizations. Sponsored by the World Federation of Neurology, World Brain Day aims to raise public awareness and advocate for those affected by neurologic conditions. Each year the focus changes. This year's theme is brain health and disabilities, topics we address in every issue of Brain & Life.
Our publication, which debuted in 2005, has received countless letters over the years from people with disabilities who want to share words of wisdom from their experience or perspective, or direct us to accessible resources or helpful organizations and services. This issue is no exception. In our Healthy Living section, you'll learn more about World Brain Day and hear from disability advocates. You'll also meet scuba divers with disabilities who say diving represents freedom and independence and confers other benefits. Our profile highlights Chris Leeuw, who sustained a spinal cord injury. After fully recovering, he opened a rehabilitation center that provides affordable extended therapy for those living with paralysis.
In Pictures of You, we interview Cory Lee, a travel blogger with spinal muscular atrophy, who has been using a power wheelchair since he was 4. Having visited 41 countries, he shares his travel experiences—the good, the bad, and the funny—along with tips for others seeking accessible adventures. In one of our features, Olympic soccer star Briana Scurry discusses how a head injury ended her career and the obstacles she faced in seeking diagnosis and treatment. In his Speak Up essay, E. Wade Hone writes about a change in attitude toward his Parkinson's disease that enabled him to appreciate his life and do more with his family. Our Take Charge story describes several people with neurologic disorders who were able to attend special events (like a daughter's wedding) through advance planning and determination. The article is chock-full of advice for people attending such events.
Many readers tell us about the invisible symptoms of their neurologic disorders, such as fatigue and anxiety, the latter of which is the focus of our feature Effective Strategies for Managing Anxiety. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the prevalence of anxiety. A September 2022 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that one in three adults worldwide experienced anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a Pew Research Center survey found that 41 percent of American adults experienced high levels of psychological distress at some point during the pandemic. While we wait to see whether those statistics fall to pre-pandemic levels, we do know that anxiety often accompanies neurologic disorders, either as a manifestation of a condition, a result of it, or both.
In recognition of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, we feature former Today anchor Natalie Morales, whose mother-in-law was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and died at the age of 70 in 2014. Since then, Morales has been an active supporter of the Alzheimer's Association, speaking at events and appearing in campaigns.
To learn more about World Brain Day, which will include a live webinar featuring members of the World Federation of Neurology such as the American Academy of Neurology, go to wfneurology.org. To express your support for the day on social media, use the hashtags #WorldBrainDay, #WBD2023, and #BrainHealthAndDisability.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy summer.
Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief
