Leah Stavenhagen, Advocate for Young Women With A.L.S., Dies at 33
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Leah Stavenhagen, diagnosed with the terminal neurodegenerative disease A.L.S. in her 20s, passed away at age 33 during a trip to El Gouna, Egypt.
- Despite relying on a wheelchair and breathing machine, she was an intrepid traveler and lived in Paris with her husband.
- Her diagnosis was delayed nearly a year due to the rarity of A.L.S. in young women and the lack of definitive tests, initially mistaking symptoms for a minor foot problem.
- In 2021, Ms. Stavenhagen founded the support group Her A.L.S. Story to raise awareness and provide community for young women diagnosed with A.L.S.
