Unremarkably Good News: The Incredible Bonds That Make Life with Chronic Illness a Little Brighter

Unremarkably Good News #1: Because Not Everything is on Fire

Welcome to the very first edition of Unremarkably Good News—the weekly series where we take a break from doomscrolling to remind ourselves that, against all odds, good things still happen. Yes, really. I checked.

This is where we celebrate the small wins—the tiny, delightful, sometimes absurd moments that make life feel a little less like a slow-motion car crash. Maybe your neighbor rescued a hedgehog. Maybe you finally folded that laundry pile that had achieved sentience. Whatever it is, if it made life slightly less of a disaster, we’re here for it.

So, grab a cup of tea (or something stronger—we don’t judge), and let’s get into this week’s mildly uplifting dose of joy.

Now, onto the good stuff…

1. Grace Garrahy and Her Lifesaving Service Dog, Sebastian

Being 16 is supposed to be about awkward crushes, regrettable haircuts, and pretending you understand algebra. But for Grace Garrahy, life came with a few extra challenges—namely Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, autism, and severe anxiety. That’s a lot for anyone, let alone a teenager trying to exist in a world that barely accommodates basic human needs.

Enter Sebastian. Not a chivalrous human knight, but a small, fluffy cavoodle with the heart of a lion and the emotional intelligence of a seasoned therapist. For eight years, Sebastian has been Grace’s lifeline—helping her through panic attacks, medical episodes, and the general chaos of being a chronically ill teenager in a world designed by and for people who have never needed to read an ingredient label in their life.

Thanks to Sebastian, Grace found a newfound independence—one that allowed her to dream of university, to advocate for service dog handlers, and to step into a future that once seemed impossible. But even the best boys deserve a retirement. After years of dedicated service, Sebastian is passing the baton (or leash) to Brinkley, a golden retriever-in-training who will continue his legacy of life-changing support.

A new beginning, a lifetime of love, and a reminder that sometimes the best medicine comes with four paws and a tail wag.

(Read more at Courier Mail.)

2. Luis Carlos Montalván and Tuesday: The Dog Who Healed a Wounded Warrior

Luis Carlos Montalván wasn’t just a war veteran—he was a man carrying the invisible weight of PTSD, a shadow that followed him long after he left the battlefield. War may end on paper, but for many, it never truly stops.

Then came Tuesday. No, not the disappointing day of the week (seriously, Tuesday has no personality), but a golden retriever with an uncanny ability to sense when Montalván needed grounding. Tuesday wasn’t just a pet; he was a lifeline, a steadfast companion who helped his human reclaim his life, one small moment at a time.

Their bond was chronicled in Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, a memoir that turned into a movement. Through Tuesday, Montalván became a powerful advocate for service animals, proving that sometimes, healing doesn’t come from a prescription—it comes from a wagging tail and an unwavering presence.

(Read more at Wikipedia - Luis Carlos Montalván.)

3. Anoushé Husain: The One-Handed Climber Who Redefined Limits

If life hands you Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a missing limb, and a laundry list of medical complications, what do you do? If you’re Anoushé Husain, the answer is simple: defy gravity.

Born without her right hand and battling a condition that actively tries to make things like ‘basic movement’ a nightmare, Anoushé decided to take up a sport that requires extreme grip strength—because apparently, ‘easy’ isn’t in her vocabulary.

In April 2022, she set a world record by climbing a staggering 374.85 meters on a climbing wall with just one hand. That’s nearly four times the height of Big Ben, in case you needed a visual reminder of just how absurdly impressive that is.

Now, Anoushé co-runs Paraclimbing London, making the sport more accessible to disabled climbers. She’s proof that while the human body has limits, the human spirit is entirely another matter.

(Read more at Wikipedia - Anoushé Husain.)

4. Endal: The Dog That Could Probably Run for Office

If there were a Nobel Prize for being a good boy, Endal the Labrador would have it. Not only did he redefine what a service dog could do, but he did so while being effortlessly adorable.

His human, Allen Parton, was a Royal Navy officer who suffered a serious brain injury, leaving him with memory loss, mobility issues, and PTSD. Enter Endal, who took service dog duties to a whole new level. This dog didn’t just fetch slippers—he operated household appliances, used ATMs, and even put Allen in the recovery position when he collapsed. That’s right—this dog had more life-saving skills than most of us.

Endal’s work turned him into a global ambassador for service dogs, proving that with the right support, independence isn’t just possible—it’s expected. His legacy lives on, reminding us all that sometimes, the most remarkable heroes come with wagging tails and zero regard for personal space.

(Read more at Wikipedia - Endal.)

The Takeaway: Chronic Illness is Tough, But Hope is Tougher

Living with chronic illness or disability can feel like pushing a boulder uphill while someone yells unsolicited advice from the sidelines. But these stories prove that perseverance, advocacy, and a really good service dog can change lives.

So, the next time the world feels heavy, remember: somewhere out there, a climber is breaking records, a retired guide dog is enjoying a well-earned nap, and a golden retriever is making life infinitely better for their human. And that, my friends, is unremarkably good news.

We’ll be back every Friday with another dose of positivity. Have your own good news? Big or small, we want to hear it.

Be kind to yourself. Let’s find the good together. 💛