Legal Nomads Author Provides Comprehensive Update on Health, Community Initiatives, and Future Endeavors
The landscape of online content creation is often characterized by rapid evolution and the challenges of maintaining consistent engagement. For Jodi Ettenberg, the founder of the popular travel and food blog Legal Nomads, the journey has been particularly unconventional. Since launching her blog in 2008 as a means for friends and family to follow her year-long sabbatical from a legal career, Ettenberg’s path has been shaped by a commitment to an ad-free experience and, more recently, by significant personal health challenges. In a recent update, Ettenberg provided a detailed overview of her activities and the evolution of her platform over the past year, highlighting key milestones and the enduring support of her community.
From Lawyer to Global Explorer: The Genesis of Legal Nomads
Ettenberg’s initial foray into blogging was a personal project, a digital diary for her inner circle as she embarked on what was intended to be a singular year of global exploration after leaving her legal profession. This year, however, blossomed into a much longer tenure of travel and immersive cultural experiences. As Legal Nomads gained traction and a substantial readership, Ettenberg made a conscious decision to maintain the site’s integrity by eschewing advertisements, sponsored content, and paid text links. This principled stance, while potentially limiting revenue streams, was rooted in a desire to provide her audience with an unadulterated reading experience, mirroring the quality she herself sought in online content. This commitment, though lauded by many within her community, was once met with skepticism, with some advising against such restrictive business practices for achieving success.
"Did I leave a lot of money on the table? Definitely," Ettenberg reflected in her update. "But I wanted the Legal Nomads blog to be a living tree of my experiences and adventures, without sacrificing the kinds of reading I wanted to focus on. So I wrote the way I wanted to, and shared what I found most interesting at the time."
This dedication to reader experience has fostered a deeply loyal and engaged community. However, the inherent challenge of this ad-free model has meant that the blog itself has sometimes taken a secondary role to other income-generating projects, particularly in recent years when Ettenberg’s capacity to work has been significantly limited due to health issues. The recent update, after an extended period of dormancy on the blog, aims to bridge this gap for readers who may not be privy to her more frequent communications via her "Curious About Everything" newsletter or her Patreon community.
A Public Platform for a Personal Struggle: The CNN Feature
A significant event in Ettenberg’s recent history was the publication of a deeply personal article on CNN in January 2022, detailing her journey from a globe-trotting blogger to being bedbound due to a spinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. The feature, commissioned by CNN editor Karla, was inspired by an Instagram post Ettenberg shared about accepting her present reality and reframing her circumstances.
The writing process was arduous, both physically and emotionally. Ettenberg described it as akin to "doing surgery on myself, carving away parts of my story that were too unwieldy to fit into the brief." With the support of friends who provided editorial assistance, the piece, titled "How a former lawyer turned travel blogger became bedbound by a rare condition," was published on CNN.com.
Ettenberg’s primary goal in sharing her story was to raise awareness for spinal CSF leaks, a debilitating condition that often goes undiagnosed or misunderstood. "I had hoped that the piece would raise awareness for this terrible spinal condition that many people don’t even know exists. I was one of the blissfully unaware, before it happened to me," she stated. She also aimed to provide a resource for fellow patients to share with their families, helping them to understand the severity of the illness.
CNN’s decision to feature the article on its front page for an entire weekend led to an overwhelming response. Ettenberg’s inbox was inundated with comments and personal accounts of pain from individuals who resonated with her experience. This period was described as "overwhelming, exhilarating," and she expressed gratitude for the widespread readership and sharing of her writing. The impact of the article continues, with individuals still discovering it and using it as a catalyst to seek diagnosis and treatment for spinal CSF leaks. Ettenberg remains deeply appreciative of the opportunity to effect change through her narrative.
Community Connection and Conservation: Adopting "Legal Lemurs"
In a heartwarming display of community engagement and a touch of whimsy, Ettenberg and her readers embarked on a collective effort to support the Duke Lemur Center. Inspired by her fondness for lemurs and a regret for not visiting them in their native Madagascar before her health declined, Ettenberg proposed symbolically adopting a lemur. The idea quickly gained traction on social media, with 31 readers expressing interest. This collective enthusiasm resulted in a $750 donation to the Duke Lemur Center, enabling the adoption of a Coquerel’s sifaka and an aye-aye. The group now receives quarterly updates on the lemurs’ behavior, accompanied by endearing photographs. Notably, one of the adopted lemurs, Pompeia, recently welcomed a baby. This initiative, which Ettenberg plans to repeat in February, offers a unique way for her community to connect and contribute to wildlife conservation.
Advocacy and Research: Joining the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation
Ettenberg’s personal experience with spinal CSF leaks has naturally led her to become an advocate for research and patient support. In February 2022, she joined the Patient Advisory Panel for Research at the American Spinal CSF Leak Foundation. This patient-led initiative plays a crucial role in formalizing the patient perspective in the advancement of research for spinal CSF leaks. Ettenberg, along with other patients, contributes to the crafting and execution of research studies, ensuring that patient voices are integral to the process.
Later in the year, the Foundation further recognized her commitment by inviting her to join its Board of Directors, an offer she accepted. Both the U.S. and Canadian Spinal CSF Leak Foundations have provided invaluable support to Ettenberg and numerous patients across North America. Her continued involvement signifies a dedication to raising awareness and driving progress in understanding and treating this complex condition.
Establishing Roots: A New Home in Ottawa
Following a year in Aylmer, Quebec, Ettenberg has established a new residence in Ottawa, Canada. The move was carefully considered, prioritizing proximity to family, access to nature, and, crucially, a building that demonstrates a high degree of accommodation for her disabilities. While Ettenberg has regained some "uptime" in her daily life, her condition still imposes significant limitations. She must adhere to strict guidelines, including limiting lifting to under five pounds, avoiding bending or twisting her spine, and minimizing activities that increase intrathecal pressure, which could exacerbate her leak. Even activities as seemingly simple as walking require careful budgeting of her energy and standing time.
Despite these challenges, Ettenberg has focused on adapting her living space to enhance her independence and comfort. Modifications include a special device on her patio door for easier access, electric blinds, and a tabletop freezer and oven positioned side-by-side for accessible use. Her father and stepmother provided crucial financial assistance for furnishing the apartment, allowing her to select pieces that accommodate her physical limitations. The apartment is designed with ample storage, ensuring that essential items are within reach at waist level, though family assistance is still required for items stored lower down. This new, personalized space offers a sense of peace and stability, a stark contrast to her years of global nomadic living and subsequent periods of confinement.
Financial Resilience: The Power of Community Support
The onset of Ettenberg’s disability presented significant financial concerns. Initially, sales of her gluten-free translation cards provided a passive income stream. However, the decline in international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drastic drop in these sales. Recognizing the need for a more sustainable income source, Ettenberg launched her Patreon membership. This platform allows readers to contribute monthly, receiving exclusive benefits in return. Ettenberg opted for a "support only" model across all tiers, prioritizing the flexibility to offer consistent benefits regardless of her fluctuating health.
"Patreon provides a fairly consistent income stream at a time when I can’t work as I used to," she explained. This consistent support alleviates the pressure of needing to seek paid work, allowing her to focus on her advocacy efforts and board responsibilities.
Furthermore, as travel has resumed, sales of her celiac translation cards have seen a resurgence. Ettenberg is actively working on updating existing guides and developing new ones for several countries, with some currently undergoing beta testing with celiac readers. Combined with sales from her Legal Nomads Art Shop, these various income streams enable her to maintain financial stability.
Navigating Health Challenges: A Measured Approach to Treatment
Ettenberg’s spinal CSF leak remains a primary health concern, and she has opted to postpone further medical interventions, such as surgery or additional blood patching, at Duke University. This decision is informed by a complex interplay of factors. Her last blood patch provided eight months of relief, but the procedure necessitated an epinephrine injection, which coincided with a significant immune system response.
Adding to her medical complexities, Ettenberg has been diagnosed with adhesive arachnoiditis, a condition causing spinal nerve clumping and significant pain. The effectiveness of future blood patches is also a consideration, particularly as she is allergic to the glue typically used in the procedure, relying solely on blood patching. The durability of blood-only patches can be variable, especially for individuals with connective tissue disorders like Ettenberg, where fibrin provides greater stability.
"It’s a matter of accepting risks, but among them that I may end up net negative – not just that the patch may not work," she stated. While she experiences persistent symptoms, including a "brain sag" sensation, nerve pain, and neurological issues, Ettenberg remains hopeful for advancements in treatment. She acknowledges the potential of emerging imaging techniques, procedures, and ongoing research, though their applicability to her complex case is yet to be determined. She anticipates seeking further treatment eventually but is not yet prepared to accept the associated risks.
Artistic Ventures: A Revitalized Art Shop and New Map Release
Ettenberg’s creative output extends to her Legal Nomads Art Shop, which features hand-drawn food maps of various countries. These maps, a labor of love that began in 2014 with a goal of ten countries, have found a dedicated audience. This year marks the release of the Canadian food map, a project that has been in development for three years. Ettenberg collaborated with Indigenous food specialists to ensure the inclusion and accurate representation of traditional dishes, aiming for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive map.
The online shop itself has undergone a significant redesign. Previously stagnant since 2016, Ettenberg took on the redesign herself, aligning it with the updated aesthetic of the Legal Nomads website. The new shop, now live, aims to provide a more contemporary and user-friendly experience for customers purchasing her unique culinary cartography. The maps have adorned the walls of homes and new restaurant establishments, underscoring their appeal as both artistic pieces and representations of culinary heritage.
Ettenberg concludes her update with a profound sense of gratitude for her community’s unwavering support. "Thank you for your support, and for coming along on this very unusual ride," she expressed. Her journey, marked by resilience, advocacy, and a deep connection with her readers, continues to inspire and inform, even as she navigates the complexities of her health and evolving personal circumstances.
