'This is the way it is': How Ita is coping with life-changing condition

This is the way it is: How Ita is coping with a life-changing condition

Ita, 83, faces life with a rare condition called isolated gait disorder after back surgery in 2021. Despite uncertainty from doctors about the cause and progression of her condition, she remains positive and active.

Adjusting to new challenges

Since her surgery, Ita has not been able to walk properly and now relies on a wheelchair. She shared,

“I haven't walked properly since the back surgery. I'm dependent on other people to help me get around and that's one of the adjustments.”

Maintaining a positive outlook

Rather than focus on the limitations, Ita finds strength in her new reality, especially relief from back pain:

“I can either feel sorry for myself and do nothing, or I can take control of my life, as I always have.”

She acknowledges frustration with the lack of funding for research into her illness but chooses to keep busy and embrace life's detours.

Continued creativity and accomplishment

Ita recently completed her twelfth book, Unapologetically Ita, her second memoir and the first written without a full-time job. She said,

“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.”

Her determination and optimism remain central to how she navigates her condition.

Summary: Ita faces isolated gait disorder with resilience, focusing on positivity and creativity despite the challenges and uncertainties in her life.

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The Senior The Senior — 2025-11-07

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