Working through myasthenia gravis, one story at a time
It’s been 10 months since I started writing this column, and I can honestly say that it’s changed my life. My mindset, my emotional health, and even my relationship with myasthenia…
My Bitter & Best Friend: MG — Sarah Bendiff
From the heart of North Africa, Sarah Bendiff shares her journey with myasthenia gravis. Diagnosed in 2019 after 13 years of searching for answers, she had to step away from her physics studies as her body resisted treatments. The digital opportunities that arose during the COVID-19 crisis in Algeria allowed Sarah to rebuild. Through digital marketing and content creation, she found strength and resilience, channeling her creativity to thrive in a remote, connected world.
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As I get back to swimming, slow and steady wins the race
Two hundred measly yards. If you had asked 14-year-old me to swim 200 yards, I would’ve laughed, flipped down my goggles, and knocked it out before you finished the question. I was a distance…
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There’s no sugarcoating it when MG leads to stolen dreams and sorrow
June was an intense month for me. With the rising heat, my muscles are growing weaker, and with a packed work schedule, my mental health is starting to fall apart, too. Recently, I shared…
The weight of asking for help; the difference an act of service makes
Algerian people are known for their oversized pride and ego. Asking for help — whether it’s about health or financial struggles — is often seen as shameful in our country, or at least it’s…
Sometimes myasthenia gravis makes me feel like a disappointment
Every parent, partner, and friend wants the best for their loved ones. We hold high expectations for them, wanting to see them become president of the world! But I’ve often felt like I’ve failed…
Combining different treatment philosophies in my life with MG
The funniest part about living with a chronic disease like myasthenia gravis is that everyone around you suddenly acts like an expert. They all seem to know a miracle treatment, a secret herb,…
Identifying 5 key triggers has helped me better manage flare-ups
This spring has been brutal. The allergy season hit me harder than ever, and it felt like my body was being torn apart from the inside. I always wonder if other people with…
I’m grateful to MG for teaching me how to live life fully
There’s a French saying I’ve always loved: “croquer la vie à pleines dents,” which literally means “to bite into life with full teeth.” It’s used to describe someone who lives passionately, who devours every…
My journey to finding a myasthenia gravis diet that works for me
Before I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2019, my symptoms led me to think that my body was lacking vitamins and nutrients. After my diagnosis, I blamed my weight gain on…
On representation, community content, and chronic illness
Last year, when I started a new job, I was asked to create funny, educational videos. The first topic I tackled was “Celebrities You Didn’t Know Have an Invisible Disability.”…
Taking MG to the mall: My tips to make shopping work
I was never really a sports fan, and there weren’t many other cultural activities around where I lived. But as I got older, I soon found my passion: shopping. I know, I sound like…
An open letter to my younger self about life with myasthenia gravis
This column is a letter to my 9-year-old self. I’m choosing this age because I was lost then — and not only because of my disease. It was my last year of primary school…
Can artificial intelligence improve chronic disease management?
There’s been much excitement lately around artificial intelligence (AI) — especially since generative AI became widely accessible. What used to be a complex, almost unreachable tool is now part of daily conversations, transforming the…
