Shawna Barnes,  Writer & Small Business Owner—

Shawna N.M. Barnes is a writer, accessible website designer, and disabled veteran living in Cable, Wisconsin, with her husband. She was diagnosed with seronegative generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2018 after seven years of advocating for herself within the VA’s medical system. She hopes that through her transparency, bluntness, and no-nonsense way of writing about life with her disease that she can help others see that there is hope after an MG diagnosis. Sometimes, we just have to get out of our own way to live our best lives.

Articles by Shawna Barnes

Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress

I used to think stress always looked like a dramatic meltdown. You know, ugly crying, yelling into a pillow, eating a bag of cheese curls while binge-watching trashy TV. (Been there, no regrets.) But stress is sneakier than that. She doesn’t always knock loudly. Sometimes she’ll tiptoe in wearing…

Riding the wave of euphoria that follows my IVIG infusions

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. The week, after my cousin’s wedding, I had an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusion scheduled — and thank…

Family, fatigue, and the fine art of showing up

A week ago, I packed up my cane, wheelchair, and excitement and hit the road for a cousin’s wedding. It was a six-hour drive each way, the kind of road trip that used to feel impossible when my myasthenia gravis (MG) was more unpredictable. But now that we’re settled…

How IVIG helps me as someone with myasthenia gravis

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with intravenous immunoglobulin. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Let’s be real: Living with myasthenia gravis (MG) can be a roller coaster. One day, you’re hunky-dory-peachy-keen, and the…