Honestly, it didn't hit me that hard just because I wasn't seriously affected by it. when I was diagnosed, I immediately went to my class when the appointment was over. It's important to note that my symptoms weren't very life altering at the time. I had muscle fasciculations and my gait pattern was off, but besides that I just kept living as if i didn't have a grim diagnosis. Going into my that appointment, I had already come to terms that it was going to be ALS and with that mindset when it was actually confirmed it wasn't very shocking.

A good day for me Is when I'm well rested. Energy is extremely important when it comes to ALS so if I'm able to get a decent sleep quality, i'm pretty much set up the day. I'm stronger which means less fall potential, I'm energetic and that makes me want to go outside, and by going outside, I just feel a lot better with fresh air. So essentially a giant positive feedback loop.

Getting my motorized wheelchair has brought me the independence that I lost. It's the best decision I've made on my journey with ALS. I got my wheelchair 2.5 years into having my illness and 2 years into it I was struggling with my energy conservation because it took so much out of me to walk long distances. At a certain point I wasn't leaving my house because I couldn't walk for a prolonged time. So rolling in my wheelchair has given me back my freedom and the ability to experience things.

It's difficult just because I don't really have a community that I can talk to. Everyone in my vicinity is not in the same stage of life and at the time I joined HerALSStory (a group of women under the age of 35 diagnosed with this disease), but unfortunately, it was the same situation where I couldn't relate because I was still a second year student in university, and they were a lot older and also based in America. When I started my social media presence, I didn't think anything of it. It was a way for me to share my story and kind of a way for me to grieve. The community that came out of it was something unexpected but now I'm able to chat with others who are going through something similar and I couldn't be happier that i'm giving people the opportunity to be seen.

My friends are the best. Announcing that I have a terminal illness didn't scare me, but I was definitely worried that I'd be treated differently. I hate when people pity me or treat me like I'm fragile, But luckily for me, my friends treat me the same way pre-ALS. But they have a little more work as they help me get in and out of my wheelchair, and tie my hair when I need to eat.

They are great because they've been able to help me adapt to my situation, But I grew up with helicopter parents, so the overbearing was just too much for me. They told me it's because they love me and care for me, but I knew I had to move out for my own well-being in order to maintain my independence and mental health. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and I can truly trust him. I know he won't treat me differently and he gives me the space and autonomy that I need.

There was definitely the hardest part to cope with. as a firstborn daughter, I'm someone who hates relying and waiting on others. So when I started needing more help, it was difficult for me to accept that. I'm a stubborn person, but I've learned to realize that the ALS life is easier when you start to let go and trust others.

It's important to not treat them any differently. I've learnt the hard way that you will be treated differently, especially from family. They will Infantilize and hover over you. It's important to set boundaries and for them to actually follow through. Living with the terminal disease is difficult enough, and if the people are around don't give you what you need, life gets astronomically harder. you're already dealing with so much. It's vital for the people around you to listen to what you need and put their own ideas aside.

Even though it is a rare disease and typically affects older white men, anyone can get it (in the less menacing and evil tone). Everyone's story with ALS is different because there is no linear trajectory of progression. I want people to understand that victims of ALS are not only ALS, we're still the same person even though we are a prisoner to our own body. Commiseration is the worst and we can see it right away on someone's face. We are still human, and so It's important to still be treated the same way.

Because I'm terminally ill, it doesn't mean I have to stop living. I feel like I've experienced more post terminal illness than I did before and I think it's just a very important mindset to have when dealing with this. your life doesn't end because of the situation you're dealt with.

I can't wait to go to Asia. It's the biggest part of my bucket list. I want to be able to experience as many cultures as possible.