This is the way it is: How Ita is coping with a life-changing condition
Ita, 83, is maintaining a positive attitude despite uncertainty surrounding her health. After undergoing back surgery in 2021, she noticed symptoms that led to a diagnosis of isolated gait disorder.
She shared with The Senior that she has not walked properly since the surgery and now relies on a wheelchair.
"I'm dependent on other people to help me get around and that's one of the adjustments," Ita said.
Doctors remain unsure whether the back operation caused the condition or if it will worsen over time. Instead of focusing on the negatives, Ita values the relief from back pain she now experiences.
"I can either feel sorry for myself and do nothing, or I can take control of my life, as I always have," she said.
Ita admits feeling frustrated about the lack of funding for research into her illness.
"Life is full of detours," she remarked.
Despite the challenges, Ita recently completed her twelfth book, Unapologetically Ita, her second memoir and the first written without the distractions of full-time work.
"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," she said.
Author’s summary: Ita embraces life’s changes with resilience, focusing on what she can control while continuing her passion for writing despite physical challenges.