Sonja Balmer was 28 years old when she was confronted with the diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). In most cases, ALS means a slow death; the disease typically leads to total paralysis within a few years while the mind and intellect remain completely intact. Sonja Balmer is one of the few ALS patients who has been living with the disease for five years. In "Breathless," she describes how her increasing need for care and dependence change her daily life – she now relies on a ventilator 24 hours a day. She recounts a cruise she took with her electric wheelchair, doctor, and numerous assistants and aids. She addresses the difficult reactions she faces and shares the importance of friendships. "Breathless" by Sonja Balmer is the poignant book of a lively young woman.