This is the way it is: How Ita is coping with a life-changing condition
Ita, 83, remains positive despite facing uncertainty after being diagnosed with isolated gait disorder following back surgery in 2021. Although she can no longer walk properly and now uses a wheelchair, she focuses on staying active and maintaining a hopeful outlook.
"I haven't walked properly since the back surgery."
Doctors are unsure if the surgery caused her condition or if it will worsen, but Ita has adjusted to her new reality. She relies on others for mobility but emphasizes the importance of acceptance and control.
"I'm dependent on other people to help me get around and that's one of the adjustments."
Instead of dwelling on the negatives, she values the absence of back pain and chooses to take charge of her life.
"I can either feel sorry for myself and do nothing, or I can take control of my life, as I always have."
Ita expresses frustration over limited funding for research into her illness but sees life as full of unexpected paths.
"Life is full of detours."
She recently completed her twelfth book, Unapologetically Ita, her second memoir and the first written without juggling a full-time job.
"It was a relief to write a book and discover how much fun it is when you don't have to keep leaving it to go back to the job you do."
This positive mindset and determination define how Ita continues to live fully despite her challenges.
Author's summary: Ita embraces life's challenges with resilience and optimism, choosing control and creativity over despair amid a life-changing condition.