How's Hanna doing? What's she saying? Anything I can do?

Hanna has an encounter

A place for Hanna to communicate with family and friends as she learns to live with ALS.

How's Hanna doing?

Receive an email when an update is added to this site.

Latest update

May 22, 2023

Event: Hanna at Creative Mornings Pittsburgh, 26 May

Hanna's energy and mood continue to improve, though her symptoms are also progressing. Her mom visits soon, and Hanna has received a wonderful honor as a writer. We have an update on finances, and two ways to help financially.

See all updates

Want to help?

There are many ways to help, whether you live near or far.

Purchase or deliver a meal or groceries
Send Hanna money for everyday needs (PayPal)
Contribute to a fund for her future medical and support expenses

See the “Ways to Help” page for more details.

Ways to help

Hanna's writing

Hanna has been writing about gratitude and grief, including reflections on this “encounter.” Here are her most recent posts.

Traveling to Ireland

Hanna makes her first international trip since her diagnosis, and unfortunately discovers the seams between systems of support. Fortunately she was able to navigate the discomforts, but what does this say about our collective treatment of those in the margins?

A view of the campus at Trinity College Dublin

How to get through the first 17 hours after learning you have ALS

Written as a step-by-step how-to guide, this essay documents Hanna's experience through the first few hours after hearing her diagnosis of probable ALS.

See all writings