Tesse Muldoon

Finding strength in the shadows

By Tesse Muldoon Myositis has had a profound impact on my life in many ways. After seven years of odd skin rashes and a number of other autoimmune conditions, I was diagnosed with cancer-associated dermatomyositis in 2017, and it drastically changed my path. Before becoming disabled, I was a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and was…

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Remembering Nori

By Julia Nickerson Noriel Cunanan lit up every room he entered. With his radiant smile and a generous, inspiring spirit, he brought energy and optimism wherever he went. A devoted friend, he always offered a helping hand, lifted spirits, and sparked fresh ideas. His battle with myositis began suddenly with a rash in late February…

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TMA was a game changer for me

Jenna Radke had dreamed about being a doctor when she was little, so she was shocked at the young age of 21 to find her body failing her. Jenna went on a trip to a destination wedding and was in so much joint pain that she could not see the local sights with her family….

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TMA is responsible for my correct diagnosis

Malati Marlene Shinazy loved surfing and took for granted that her body was strong, agile, and capable of what she asked of it. Then her muscles started getting weaker. She noticed standing up out of a chair was harder than it used to be. She began falling with no explanation, and surfing became harder. Malati…

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Dermatomyositis: Not my whole story

By Jenna Radke In January of 2022, my life took an unexpected turn. Just one month after graduating from my undergraduate university and embarking on the journey to apply to medical school, I began developing symptoms of dermatomyositis. At the time, I had no idea how this rare and unpredictable disease would affect my life…

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