My Bitter & Best Friend: MG — Sarah Bendiff

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…

Last weekend, I attended a training course on a psychological model that explains how each of us has different personality types depending on the situation we’re in, with one usually being predominant. As I listened, I couldn’t help but link it to my experience with myasthenia gravis (MG). So…

Note: This column was updated July 31, 2025, to clarify that the author fears temporary paralysis caused by severe muscle weakness, as opposed to a permanent paralysis. Yesterday, my brain and body collapsed because I was too tired and exhausted — not due to a myasthenia gravis (MG) flare-up…

Last week, I went outside almost every day, often to go to the office. It’s something I usually try to avoid. I like to keep a routine — one day off after two days of work — to give my body time to recover. But lately, I’ve been pushing myself…

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 gravis (MG) have evolved. Writing hasn’t cured my condition, of course, but it’s helped me live…

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 a story about an experience that made me realize one of the few benefits myasthenia…

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 frowned upon. But the truth is, how can anyone survive with neither health nor help? I’ve…

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 to meet those expectations — especially as the oldest daughter, the go-to best friend, and of…