Columns

December 15, 2020December 10, 2020

Porphyria Has Taught Me There’s No Going Back to Normal

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

Like others, I’m guilty of hating on 2020. In relation to in-person gatherings, I’ll be the first to admit I’ve said things like, “After all this is over, …” ... Read more

December 8, 2020December 4, 2020

How a Tree Ornament Reminds Me of My Inner Wisdom

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

Last week, we decorated for the holidays. Mugs of cocoa steamed on the dining room table, and jolly holiday tunes played in our living room as the kids maneuvered ... Read more

December 1, 2020November 24, 2020

Turning Toward Pain and Learning From Adversity

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

As a person with an invisible illness living in an ableist society, my chronic pain and its effects on my body have been minimized, questioned, and altogether denied. Over ... Read more

November 24, 2020November 20, 2020

This Holiday Season, Spread Kindness, Not COVID-19

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

My upcoming holidays are going virtual. Right now, families like mine across the world are making hard calls about how they will spend quality time with their loved ones ... Read more

November 17, 2020November 18, 2020

COVID-19 Canceled My Wedding, and That’s OK

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled a wedding we had scheduled for last June. When my fiancé, Michael, and I told friends and family abut our decision to postpone the ceremony, ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 6, 2020

Learning Life Lessons From My Dog

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

It was love at first sight when I met my standard poodle, Lenny Bruce, but what I never imagined is how much he’d teach me about love and living. ... Read more

November 3, 2020October 30, 2020

Caring for the Caregiver: When Roles Are Reversed

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

My fiancé, Michael, is my caregiver. He tends to my needs during acute hepatic porphyria attacks, provides emotional support, and has steady energy that keeps me sane. Last year ... Read more

October 27, 2020October 23, 2020

Eating Halloween Candy Is Good for My Health

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

I recently found myself (masked up) at Walmart in a tiny Iowa town. These days, I don’t frequent big-box stores, but I’m a huge fan of scoping out the ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 24, 2020

3 Ways I’m Reclaiming My Joy While Living With Hepatic Porphyria

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

Like many people with painful chronic illness, I struggle with my mental health. This morning, simply getting out of bed took a lot out of me because I was ... Read more

October 13, 2020October 12, 2020

How Assembling Care Providers Is Like Cooking a Delicious Soup

"One Thousand Flaming Swords" – a Column by Claire Richmond, Columns

I walk my standard poodle, named Lenny Bruce, around the neighborhood every afternoon. We live in a historic area of Des Moines, Iowa, with sturdy sidewalks and old, expansive ... Read more