My Bitter & Best Friend: MG — Sarah Bendiff

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…

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…

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.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had my own version of events. I remember climbing a mountain when it was only a small road, lifting heavy weights when I was only rearranging furniture. My memories were always heavier, longer, more intense than reality. One day, my boyfriend and I…

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…