Sunrise Sunset — Jaime Christmas

I was in the car with my daughters earlier today, and as we turned onto a busy street, we saw cars already lining up to beat rush hour. It was one of the few…

Lately I’ve had to remind my husband that he is not his disease. Aubrey was diagnosed in 2013 with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis, and after eight years, his impairment has become evident to those…

By the time this column is published, nearly two weeks will have passed since the kick-off of the two-day New Zealand Patients, Carers & Healthcare Practitioners Amyloidosis Conference. I helped organize this important event,…

I often write about the challenges I face as a carer to a spouse afflicted with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. I highlight the heavy impact this disease has had on me as well as…

I count myself very fortunate to be in a position where I can speak to readers. Every week I sit at my desk, and in the stillness of the day, while the household is…

Our amyloidosis patient association here in New Zealand often holds routine catch-up sessions with the patients and carers that we support. I am a firm believer that mental health is a key aspect…

I will always remember May 12 as a special day. That’s because last week, I spent that day with my daughter doing something close to our hearts. We woke up that morning and prepared…

It has been a week since my husband, Aubrey, and I received our first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. We feel fortunate to have this opportunity as New Zealand’s Ministry of Health continues…

When you live with a rare illness, it can affect every facet of life. I am a carer to my husband, Aubrey, who has hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. Since his diagnosis in 2013, the…

One activity I really enjoy doing is going for coffee dates with my girlfriends. This allows me to take a break from my normal routine and spend time with those in my support network.

Some life events create impressions that stay with us forever. Our experiences, encounters, and journeys mold our character and hone our personality, making each of us into who we are today. What makes…

2013 was a landmark year for my husband, Aubrey, and me. That October, we received confirmation that Aubrey has hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. The results were based on a biopsy of his gastrointestinal cells…