Columns

I cry when it rains, get mad when the wind blows too hard, and dance with joy when spring arrives. I thought for years that these were just part of my emotions and psychology; that maybe I was overly sensitive or simply dramatic. But I’ve realized something deeper lately: Being…

Thanksgiving season reminds me of something author Melody Beattie wrote: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a…

Living with myasthenia gravis (MG) can feel like starring in a mystery movie I never auditioned for. One minute, I’m moving just fine, and the next, my muscles behave like someone flipped my power switch to low. Anyone with MG knows this rhythm all too well, but my road…

Next week, my boyfriend’s family will come to officially ask for my hand in marriage. Here in Algeria, that’s how engagements start. The groom’s family visits, the parents meet, and the whole thing feels as traditional as it is symbolic. It’s a beautiful ritual, but for me, it comes with…

“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Lately, I’ve felt that this Bible verse could’ve been written about me and my muscles. The last week or so has served as a reminder that fall fatigue is indeed a real phenomenon. This time of year always plays tricks…

Most folks have never heard of myasthenia gravis (MG), and honestly, I don’t blame them. It’s a rare autoimmune disease that even some doctors initially miss. MG plays tricks with the connection between nerves and muscles, kind of like static on a phone line. One moment, the message from…

Note: This column describes the author’s brother’s experiences with Soliris. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I had promised to video call my twin brother, Aaron, as he received a Soliris (eculizumab) infusion, but I felt a…

When November rolls around, you start to notice more mustaches sprouting across faces — some fuzzy, some patchy, some magnificent. They’re part of the Movember movement, a global effort to raise awareness for men’s health, especially mental health, suicide prevention, and cancers that affect men. But when I see…

I had just started a video call with my twin brother, Aaron. I live in Manila, Philippines, and he still resides in our hometown of New York City. It felt good to see him. I was pleased to see that the strabismus surgery he underwent to correct…

Depending on the kind of person you are, you might react differently to the idea of being responsible for someone who needs help. Recently, I was watching a YouTube video in which the creator made a point about feeling guilty and “sorry” for people with disabilities. That hit me deeply.