The Whispered Roar
— Shawna Barnes

There’s no denying it: Living with myasthenia gravis (MG) can make a person feel insane. One minute I’m celebrating a new physical milestone achieved, and the next I’m lamenting and grieving how much…

Six months can feel like forever. Using an elimination diet to detect food sensitivities can seem to last forever. Many such diets are restrictive at the start, which makes them difficult to stick…

Close your eyes and imagine that you’re in a diving suit, swimming in a warm and comfortable lagoon. You find yourself drawn into the depths of the beautiful teal water by a siren. At…

Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat when you travel? Before I got sick during my deployment to Iraq (2009-2010), I used to love to travel. I never had to give…

It happened again. I received this comment, intended as a compliment, I think: “I don’t know how you do it.” It was made by a friend of mine who stopped by my business,…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with prednisone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Do you like roller coasters?…

Have you ever experienced a period of your life when the universe seemed to be sending signals that were subtle at first, but then — bam! — they were in your face and hard…

For the first time in a while, I decided to do something that was low maintenance but would help me feel like the “old Shawna.” My thought process was good: I’d practice self-care…

My husband, Justin, works in fitness. Six months ago he opened a small-group personal training gym in our little Wisconsin town, and he’s been working to grow his membership, which now includes me.

Snow in September? Last week I got a new tattoo. The session was my husband’s gift for our anniversary this year. I told the tattoo artist that I wanted something to mark…

When living with myasthenia gravis (MG), sometimes even the simplest tasks, such as choosing a hairstyle, can feel like climbing Mount Everest. Today, I’m diving into the world of hair — short and…