December is a month of university graduation here in New Zealand. All the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears conclude in a cacophony of salutations and shouts of joy from family members. Jaime Christmas celebrates with her son Joshua at his college graduation ceremony this month. (Courtesy of Jaime…
Sunrise Sunset – a Column by Jaime Christmas
According to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, there are more than 7,000 rare genetic diseases in the world, mostly affecting children. Additionally, about 300 million people worldwide live with a rare disease, and most of these diseases have no approved treatment. These numbers underscore the urgent need for more research…
As a columnist for Amyloidosis News Today since October 2020, I’ve written about various topics, all related to my experience caring for a spouse who had hereditary ATTR amyloidosis. My columns touch on the emotional and physical challenges I faced as a caregiver, the adjustments we…
My late husband, Aubrey, was diagnosed with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis in 2013 and passed away on May 22, 2022. Those nine years were spent transitioning from having harmony in our marriage to navigating a relationship wrought with challenges. We were encumbered not only by the stress of Aubrey’s…
Over a year ago, I met someone. Darren James came into my life at a point when I was questioning whether I could build a life with another man after losing a spouse. My late husband, Aubrey, and I had been married for almost 27 years before he passed…
Oct. 26 isn’t just another day; it’s World Amyloidosis Day. As a leader of the New Zealand Amyloidosis Patients Association, I’m excited to use this day to raise awareness in our country and unite with our global community. Your support, especially from those in other countries who follow our group…
Since January, the amyloidosis association I lead here in New Zealand has seen our patient numbers grow like never before, primarily because of newer diagnostic tools and more awareness among doctors about the disease. We’re receiving more emails from diagnosed individuals seeking advice on what to do next,…
It’s winter here in New Zealand. I woke up to a thin sheet of ice covering the deck, staying frozen just long enough to glint in the morning sun. That happens when moisture trapped in the air cools drastically and the temperature drops below freezing overnight. Now that I live…
I’m happy. That’s the best way to describe my state at this stage of my life. When my husband, Aubrey, passed away on May 22, 2022, my whole world was stirred and uprooted. He’d been diagnosed with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis in 2013, and his disease journey took…
I’ve moved! It’s exciting, but the move was daunting because of the sheer amount of work that went into clearing out items from a place where my children grew up from 2007 onward. This place was our family home, housing much laughter, tears, and peace. History seeps through the walls,…
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