My Bitter & Best Friend: MG — Sarah Bendiff

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…

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, a magical massage, or a doctor or guru who will surely cure you. I know these…

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 myasthenia gravis (MG) experience the same kind of flare-up triggers as I do. Last week, I…

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 moment of joy, adventure, and beauty with intensity. That expression has always defined the way I…

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 MG, even though hormones played a big role, too. I’ve tried several diets over the years,…

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.” And right there, I had this strange realization: I hadn’t been drawn to a…

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 a high schooler, but in my head, I still am! Don’t judge! From when I was…

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 and the point at which my life shifted from that of a child to that of…

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 way we work, learn, and live. It brings a mix of emotions: optimism that it could…

I recently made peace with the fact that we almost always judge the book by its cover. It’s just what humans do. We believe what we see. And having a disease that’s not always visible has been the biggest challenge of my life. I often look just tired enough to…

By the end of each month, I always find myself asking: Where does my money go? I work as a freelancer in the digital marketing field, and I also teach courses in the same area. It’s a pretty lucrative activity these days, especially as digital work continues to expand. But…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various alternative therapies. Not everyone will have the same response to these methods. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. During a myasthenia gravis flare-up in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I completely lost the ability to…