Or something like it. — By Jeff Cann Alpha-Gal? No, it’s not a superhero from the 1960s. Not the PTA president at your kid’s elementary school. Not the captain of a cheerleading squad. Alpha-gal is an abbreviation, the familiar name of Alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme prevalent in red meat, and useful for breaking down oligosaccharides into…

We feel responsible for the well-being of those we love, even in the areas we have no authority, ability, or access to change. — By Chris Morris Everyone in my family feels guilty because of my epilepsy. Often the first thing I hear from someone once I begin to recover from a seizure is, “I’m sorry.” They apologize for not catching me in time when I fall. For not noticing more quickly I was…

One man shares a personal story of life with seizures. — By Chris Morris I remember the exact day freedom was taken from me, perhaps never to return. I will never forget the sense of loss in that moment, when I came face to face with the reality of my illness. I have a seizure disorder, but until this particular moment…

OCD can be a tricky animal. — By James Gummer Many people think that obsessive compulsive disorder is just that hand-washing thing, or a need to tidy up your bedroom. It can be. But most of the time, it’s so much more. OCD is a tricky bastard. It’s having a meltdown in front of my girlfriend whom…

Trust me. I am not giving up because I am choosing not to ingest a potion. I know my body and my values. You do, too. — By Hilary Lauren Jastram Since I received the diagnosis of my disease, transverse myelitis, I have been thrust into an alternate physical dimension. I remember the exact moment when I knew something was direly, direly wrong as if a switch on my old body had flipped into “sick mode.”

It can only benefit you to increase the amounts of nutrient-rich and whole plant foods in your diet. — By Jacob Maslow If you want to try veganism, learning how to go vegan for a month is a great way to start your new diet and health journey. Whether it is for health or philosophical reasons, many people think twice about consuming animal products. So, are you wondering how…

We live in an amazing epoch, where it’s possible to be born in a completely wrong body, but actually manage to change your sex. — By Gender Isn’t About Body Parts We live in an amazing epoch, where it’s possible to be born in a completely wrong body, but actually manage to change your sex. Now, of course, the 21st century isn’t the first time that trans* people were recognized. There have been countless non-Western…

Anna Rosenblum Palmer wonders how to answer her son when he asks, “Why don’t I have any men as teachers?” — By Anna Rosenblum Palmer The New York Times recently ran an opinion piece on Men’s Lib written by two senior fellows from the Brookings Institute. The article detailed trends in earnings, marriage, childcare and employment over the past 40 years, outlining the increasing number of women entering traditionally male-dominated fields…

Because you know your loved ones better than the professionals. — By Sandy Roffey This week my 73 year old mother fell. She tried to catch herself on a chair, but it was a computer seat with wheels, and it disappeared beneath her. She smashed into the floor full force. After an ambulance ride to a local hospital showed a shattered…