Brain Exercises
In the feature on Natalie Morales (June/July 2023), exercise was recommended to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Lately I've been trying to exercise my brain. When I can't sleep, I memorize things. For instance, I've memorized the squares of numbers from 1 through 111. I know the square, cube, fourth power, and fifth power of 1 through 10 and the square roots from 1 through 25. I'm now memorizing parts of the Bible. This activity keeps me from worrying. If I don't fall asleep during the exercise, I'm usually ready for sleep by the end. For others, memorization could include poems, speeches, jokes, songs, verses, recipes, spellings, or historical dates. —Roger Vreeland, Conrad, IA
Inspiring Scurry Story
I was in two car accidents within a year and a half and ended up with traumatic brain injuries. I understand that the healing process takes a bit longer for a 64-year-old like me, but it's hard to adjust. I used to have a strong personality and was a patient caregiver for my 86-year-old mother. I went to the gym regularly and could multitask. Now I have no energy or drive in life. I am often frustrated, confused, and emotional, and I can't always find my words. And my balance can easily be thrown off. My mother is just slightly compromised, and I find myself relating to her very well. I have excellent medical care and good tools in my life to assist in healing. It's been almost a year since the last accident, and I am trying to stay encouraged. I know something will work out, just as in Briana Scurry's story (June/July 2023). —Patti Mitchell, Jacksonville, FL
Divers with Disabilities
I enjoyed the article on scuba diving (Healthy Living, June/July 2023). I am a 77-year-old disabled vet and have had the occasion to experience brief scuba sessions in a pool with an instructor. Unfortunately, I am now required to use a catheter, so water sports of any kind are no longer an option for me. —Martin Gross, Wheat Ridge, CO
Parent Support
The feature about parent advocates ( April/May 2023) highlighted some important stories of parents who created foundations and raised awareness of their children's neurologic challenges. All the neurologic conditions mentioned would likely qualify the children for instruction and services from their public schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). For the last 28 years, I have assisted families in navigating the maze of special education. In my experience, families may be confused about what school systems are required to do under federal law, and schools often take advantage of that lack of knowledge. I strongly recommend doing a follow-up feature on the nuts and bolts of the IDEA, which will help many families and their treating clinicians. —Louis H. Geigerman, President, National ARD/IEP Advocates, Houston
Functional Disorders
It was comforting to read about functional neurologic disorders (Ask Your Neurologist, April/May 2023), a condition I've been diagnosed with for 10 years. I developed functional dystonia from excessive improper exercise. It affects my left leg and my ability to walk. I often wondered if I was alone in experiencing this condition and appreciate your drawing attention to it. —Christopher M. Saleh, Mountain View, CA
Skiing With Dystonia
I grew up cross-country skiing. When I was 13, I began having pain in my left arm and trouble moving it and was eventually diagnosed with dystonia. It's been tricky learning to live with this condition and finding ways to keep skiing. As my disease progressed, I started doing parasports, and last year I qualified for the 2022 Beijing Paralympics and won three medals. I continue to ski on a Division I college team and compete in World Cup Paralympic events. —Sydney Peterson, Lake Elmo, MN
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Congratulations on your Paralympic success. Be sure to read our story on dystonia in an upcoming issue.
Dysphagia Dangers
My husband had Parkinson's disease for many years and was in and out of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and doctors' offices. In all those visits, we were never told to thicken his liquids or avoid using straws. Only at the final hospital visit was that crucial information given, but by then it was too late. My husband died of aspiration pneumonia. Please stress the importance of this for people with Parkinson's disease. Perhaps if I had known, my husband would still be alive. —Joanne Draper, Peoria, AZ
Informative Resource
Ever since my grandson was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease, I have been a subscriber. I've also encouraged others to subscribe, including one friend with multiple sclerosis and another whose son has Parkinson's disease. I've learned so much from the publication and never feel overwhelmed by it. I truly want to thank everyone who puts so much effort into making this a magazine that anyone can read and understand. —Joann Recke, Boyertown, PA
All in the Family
My three sisters and I all have neurologic disorders. My youngest sister, Janice, and I have primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), and my two other sisters, Lucy and Michele, have spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8). Lucy's only child, who is now 52, just tested positive for SCA8. Michele, who has two children who will be tested for the disorder, has no symptoms.
We believe that our mother, who died after years of dementia, also had SCA8. Of her six siblings, three died of dementia as well and may have had SCA8. We are looking for experts and other families whose members have been diagnosed with either PPMS or SCA8 to help us so we can help other families in similar situations someday. —Kathy Spaulding, Charlotte, NC
Topic Idea
My doctors thought I might have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) seven years ago, but after extensive testing and deep tissue biopsies, I was diagnosed with necrotizing autoimmune myopathy, a rare muscle disease that causes muscle cell death. Is this a disorder your magazine might be interested in covering? —Dan Posas, West Lafayette, IN
THE EDITOR RESPONDS: Thank you for your topic idea. We will keep it in mind for a future issue.
