When I was a high school English teacher, I often received late-night emails from former students tucked away in distant dorms. These messages usually began casually, with inquiries about my well-being or how the current class measured up to their class. But then they’d take a turn, diving into the deeper waters of vulnerability. “So, I’ve been thinking…” They’d pose questions that echoed in the silence long after the lights went out: “How do you cure homesickness?” or “Remember when we read Eliot? What did he mean when he said, ‘I measured out my life in coffee spoons’?”

I miss many things about teaching, but those emails? They were unexpected, unsolicited, and refreshingly unpretentious. Sure, apples and coffee mugs are nice, but those messages were some of the finest gifts I ever received.

Sent at two or three in the morning—perhaps after a few too many beers or during those moments when life’s darkness feels achingly real—these emails were filled with that palpable energy of youth. It’s that jittery anticipation that— throughout history—has kept many travelers awake on the eve of a journey, grappling with the unknown, aching to uncover what life has in store for you.

Since my disability forced me into early retirement, I receive a different kind of email. Like those from my former students, these messages often arrive in my inbox at odd hours. The early morning dread that—throughout history—has kept many travelers awake and worrying about the unknowns and uncertainties about tomorrow all night long.

These emails often skip the formalities and punctuation, getting straight to the stark truth:

how fast does ataxia progress

have you accepted this disease yet

am I going to die

Just recently, I got an email at 2:37 a.m. on a Tuesday in October. It had no subject line, just a simple, haunting message:

what helps

Lately, that question has kept me awake. Regardless of your struggle—whether it’s an incurable illness or a tough patch in life—we’ve all lost sleep wrestling with what truly helps us navigate difficult times. I’m not a doctor or a medical professional; my opinions are just that—opinions. If you have a prescription from a healthcare provider, take it or at least consider it. I can’t provide medical assistance, but my insights come from my own experiences. I pursue these things because they bring me fulfillment, and I urge anyone grappling with hardship to do the same.

Prescription: Make a list of what helps you through tough times. Engage with one item from your list twice a day or as needed.

Take with or without food.

Caution: Engaging in these activities may cause drowsiness. If that happens, feel free to take a nap.

Here’s what helps me:

• The early morning sun
• Dogs
• My kids’ laughter
• Smiles from strangers
• Drinking 20 ounces of cold water before my hot morning coffee
• Hot morning coffee
• Hugging my wife
• The smell of waffles
• Flipping through pages of books I’ve read and revisiting my handwritten marginal notes
• Listening to Morgan Freeman read poetry
• Lifting weights in the garage with my sons
• Peanut M&M’s
• Avocados
• Laughing until my stomach hurts
• Talking with friends about 1990s pro wrestling
• Discussing writing with fellow authors
• Sharing stories with teachers
• Listening to my wife tell a funny story
• Watching Robin Williams hilariously explain the origins of golf in a Scottish accent
• Pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches
• Naps
• Grocery shopping
• Walking with my walker up a hill
• Doing pull-ups
• Watching my kids play soccer
• Eating peanuts at a baseball game
• Avoiding TV before 7 p.m. unless there’s an important sporting event on
• Homemade iced tea
• Listening to The Who’s entire Who’s Next album really loud
• Visiting the neighborhoods of my youth
• Writing to you

Be well,

Jay

One, Line, One Love: Episode 42: A Creative Conversation Between Two Everyday Writers

In this episode of One Line, One Love, Gail and Jay explore the innovative technique known as “breaking the fourth wall.” They watch a clip from the movie Deadpool and discuss a line from C.S. Lewis’s novel, The Chronicles of Narnia. Gail and Jay also share their own experiences with breaking the fourth wall and how this technique captivates readers. If you’re a writer looking to enhance reader engagement, this episode is a must-listen!

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Book Sale Link

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Warm greetings to everyone who found me on the University of Pennsylvania’s Ataxia Clinic’s website! Thanks for stopping by. I have ataxia and though I’m not a doctor, I hope my words comfort, encourage, empower, and serve as good company on your journey.

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Jay Armstrong is a speaker and an award-winning author. Despite being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease, that impairs his movement, balance, eyesight, and speech–Jay presses on. The leader of the Philadelphia Ataxia Support Group, he hopes to help you find joy, peace, and meaning in life.