I may be living with myasthenia gravis, but it does not define my life

Charlotte Laycock receives a plasma exchange to help control her myasthenia gravis. (Photos courtesy of Charlotte Laycock)

This is Charlotte Laycock’s story:

Being diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in my early 30s was something I never expected. At the time, I was living a fast-paced single life in London, working hard, socializing harder, and with no prior health issues to speak of. So when I began struggling to chew, speak, or even smile, I assumed it was just stress. I truly believed I’d wake up one morning and the symptoms would vanish as suddenly as they’d appeared.

Instead, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition that no one around me had even heard of — along with a thymoma, just to top it off. Thankfully, I responded well to medication and was able to return to my version of normal life relatively quickly. However, that life now came with daily medication and unpredictable bouts of muscle weakness.

At first, I tried to dive straight back into my old lifestyle, dating apps, late nights, and endless pub meetups. But MG had other plans. I began to feel self-conscious about my smile, often covering it with my hand to hide the distinctive MG grimace. Chewing was unpredictable and I struggled to get past a second date without worrying about how my body would respond. Sometimes I’d tell my dates I had a chronic illness. Sometimes I wouldn’t. Most of the time, it didn’t matter; the result was usually the same. For many, my condition was a deal breaker.

Charlotte Laycock, right, met Nick Gibbs on a trip home to visit her mother. The couple are preparing their wedding.

As time passed, I began to question whether life would ever feel the same again. Would I ever find someone who could truly accept me and my MG, someone who wouldn’t see me as “less than” because of it?

Eventually, I realized that the acceptance had to start with me. I needed to understand my disease, learn how it affected me day to day, and figure out how I wanted to approach dating on my terms. It took time. Honestly, it wasn’t easy, but slowly, I rebuilt trust in myself and began to live with MG rather than in fear of it.

A few years after my diagnosis, I returned home one weekend to visit my mum. On a casual stroll past the local pub, I quite literally bumped into a man. He recognized me; we’d known each other from school, though I didn’t remember him at first. Think Christmas rom-com vibes. We got talking and, within an hour, I told him everything about my health. Not once did he make me feel broken or unworthy.

Fast-forward two years, and in just five weeks, I’ll be walking down the aisle to marry him.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: MG may be a part of your life, but it doesn’t define your worth. You have MG, but you are not your MG. You are still whole, still lovable, and more than enough.

In recognition of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month in June, the Myasthenia Gravis Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by myasthenia gravis, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MGSpotlight, or read the full series here.