My Bitter & Best Friend: MG - a Column by Sarah Bendiff

I know none of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis (MG) directly affect how I look. There’s no sudden body change or visible sign that screams “something is wrong.” But anything that changes your daily routine inevitably shapes the way you eat, the way you dress, the way you move…

I do a lot of psychological and spiritual work on myself, and, because I do this work, I’ve come to believe that I am in tune with my body. Every day, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed, I pay close attention to what…

I might be the most curious worker on the planet. I love learning new things, discovering novel industries, and exploring what makes people tick through their work. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about working in social media. Depending on the client, I get to dive into different…

The very first “code” my mom and I cracked together came long before I even had a diagnosis. Back when I was just a kid with mysterious symptoms no one could explain, we noticed that one thing always seemed to help: sleep. No matter how much pain, weakness,…

Lately, I’ve been repeating the same sentence to anyone who asks me why I don’t do something: “It’s not my priority.” But the more I’ve said it, the more it echoes inside of me. Why am I living in survival mode? Why am I only taking care of “priorities”? Then…

I went through a long phase in which I proudly followed a minimalist lifestyle. I was totally against gadgets, especially the small ones that seem unnecessary. Garlic crushers in the kitchen? Useless. Those mini massage tools advertised all over social media? Just clutter, or so I thought.

A columnist with myasthenia gravis reflects on shifting from a life centered on rest to one that carefully embraces movement and new experiences. By listening to her body while pushing perceived limits, she’s reclaiming a sense of freedom and choosing to live beyond fear of flare-ups.

I haven’t had a disease flare-up recently or a full physical and mental breakdown. Still, this year has been a roller coaster for me. Each month seems to follow a rhythm: For one week I’ll feel almost healthy, for two weeks I’ll feel extremely disabled, and then for another week…

I always try to keep a good attitude toward my myasthenia gravis (MG). I often say it’s a bit like having a clingy best friend who follows me around, whether I’m celebrating a win or collapsing in exhaustion. But there are days when MG isn’t just a shadow in…

Heat and cold are some of the most common triggers for flare-ups in people living with chronic illnesses. For me and my myasthenia gravis (MG), summer has always been the toughest season. Almost all of my breathing difficulties have happened during hot months. Over time, I realized I couldn’t…