June is Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
There are the inevitable changes that come into our lives. Is there anyone who planned to be diagnosed with myasthenia gravis or any other serious, chronic illness, and definitely not one that has no cure?
Life can change drastically with myasthenia gravis, a rare, chronic, autoimmune, neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscles. MG can impact a person’s ability to see, walk, talk, breathe and smile. It is estimated that about 100,000 people in the U.S. have MG. It can affect people of all ages, genders and race, and there is no cure. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America is the only national organization dedicated to research, awareness and advocacy efforts to help MG patients.
I was diagnosed with MG in 2006. I have learned that I AM MG STRONG, because when I am weak, I am strengthened by keeping my faith, perseverance and positive attitude through the adversities. In 2014 I made the choice to persevere, stand firm as my own advocate and begin a journey as an ambassador raising awareness wherever my journey led me.
My journey led me to share awareness while on vacation in Hawaii. With the help of Kauai friends, we had the first walk for MG through the MGFA on Kauai in 2017.
I am MG Strong because as an ambassador it allows me to share awareness with others who do not know about MG, and it gives me the opportunity to let other MG patients know that they are not alone in the world with the rare, neuromuscular disease.
If you have MG, never underestimate the inspiration you can be to others as you live with MG with dignity and courage. Your life may be different from what it was before MG, but you are not alone in the world with it, and it matters.
Anyone who has MG and is interested in coordinating a walk in Hawaii can contact the MG Walk office at Mgwalk.org or 885-649-2557.
Paula McGinnis, Kauai visitor, MG Ambassador and MG Walk coordinator
