My twin often considers the worst-case scenario in his life with MG
American writer William Arthur Ward is believed to have said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.” I’m not grateful enough for my…
Me, My Brother, and MG — Allen Francis
Allen Francis is a New York City native, graduate from Marymount Manhattan College, and a former college advisor. He writes from his experience of having a twin brother, Aaron, who has been afflicted with myasthenia gravis (MG) since 1999. From his perspective of a loving sibling, Allen wants to learn more about MG and advocate for more awareness about the rare and medically unknown condition. Allen is also a lifelong comic book fan dedicated to launching his own company writing comic books with his twin.
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Sifting through regret over things left unsaid
“It’s the things that are left unsaid that take up the most space in our hearts.” I don’t know who wrote that, but it reminded me about how much has been left unsaid between…
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My twin with MG has learned to curb his anger; I should follow suit
A quote attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, says, “You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger.” In other words, no matter how much we…
My twin with MG doesn’t want people to pity him
Author Jane Austen once wrote, “Those who do not complain are never pitied.” I was a mediocre English major in college. I won’t tell you I adored “Pride and Prejudice,” but I’ve always remembered…
My brother with MG is unable to exercise after a recent surgery
My twin brother, Aaron, has always been a fitness nut. When we were teenagers, he routinely invited his girlfriend at the time to come over and exercise with him. Exercise videos on VHS tapes…
I still have much to learn about my brother’s battle with MG
Inside every person we know is another part of them we don’t know anything about. As adults, we often hide our pain, either out of pride or to spare others from worrying. My twin…
Look into his eyes: The success of my twin’s ocular surgery
My fraternal twin brother, Aaron, who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) 25 years ago, underwent surgery last week to correct his crossed eyes, or strabismus, and double vision. I’m glad to report…
My brother’s surgery to correct myasthenia gravis eye symptoms
Incessant worrying doesn’t eliminate uncertainty about the future, only the peace of the present. I’m a worrier. I’m not proud of that, but it’s an ingrained personality trait. My twin brother, Aaron, who has…
Why I’m stepping up my rare disease advocacy today
Most people try to live life as best they can in a chaotic world, but they never have the power to do what they really want to do. As the nondisabled brother of a twin…
My twin has MG, and I have survivor’s guilt
Unearned guilt is one of the most useless emotions in the world. Guilt never has a full belly. It feeds eternally upon itself and adds to what’s there. Unearned guilt glues itself to the…
Between my brother with MG and me, I’m the one who needs work
The most crippling disability in the world is the mindset of nondisabled people who define people with disabilities by their physical limitations, refuse to view them as full human beings, or ignore their disabilities…
How my brother’s MG journey led me to raise rare disease awareness
Hello! My name is Allen Francis. I’m a New York City native, former academic adviser, and currently a full-time freelance writer. Besides a need to lose a few pounds, a short battle with skin…
