Columns

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the past year’s blessings. It’s also a time to express gratitude for the people and things that make our lives meaningful and joyful. However, for some people, Thanksgiving can be a difficult and painful occasion. Those with chronic illnesses may feel isolated, depressed, or…

“How do you do it?” I’m asked this question a lot by friends, family, and even new acquaintances. I have myasthenia gravis (MG), so the topic usually comes up in conversation. After small talk, I’ll often end up explaining MG and how it affects me. The question usually follows…

My earliest school memories revolve around reading class. I couldn’t wait until after lunch, when we’d get out our books and take turns reading. I loved Dick and Jane, Sally, Mother, Father, and of course, Spot. I began a love affair with the written word that continues to grow…

H.I.T. Honesty. Integrity. Transparency. These are three values that I use as principles in my personal and professional lives. They were presented to me as H.I.T. by a friend, a fellow veteran and business owner. I use them when I discuss my life with myasthenia gravis, as well as…

I cried. All day. Usually, no matter the level of sadness or grief, I can shut off my emotions because it’s necessary. Crying is one of the triggers that exacerbates my myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms. I get droopy eyes and have trouble breathing, and weak bulbar muscles…

In the novel “Till We Have Faces,” C.S. Lewis wrote, “Don’t you think the things people are most ashamed of are the things they can’t help?” These words resonated with me as I began to understand how shame was a silent and unwelcome part of my myasthenia…

“Breathe in. Hold the ball. Breathe out. Stroke the horse’s mane. Breathe in. Repulse the monkey.” OK, so maybe it wasn’t exactly like that, but last week, I tried tai chi for the first time in more than 20 years. I was in high school the last time I’d done…

If you grew up in New England, you’ve most likely heard about a fictitious exchange between a tourist in need of directions and a reticent Mainer. When asked the best route to the tourist’s destination, the Mainer replied, “You can’t get there from here.” What an absurd response! However, the…

“Maybe if you just exercised, you’d feel better.” “You look tired today.” “I don’t know how you do it.” Mental health, particularly how we feel about ourselves, is a touchy subject, especially when you’re battling a chronic and debilitating illness like myasthenia gravis (MG). Friends and loved…

I’ve had epilepsy since I was 9 years old. Because of this, I’ve spent part of my life around hospitals and doctors’ offices. I became aware of the pitfalls that can arise in patient care, and how they can be avoided. I learned early in life the importance of patient…