Among the benefits of having a pet is unconditional love
Four years ago, I met up with a cousin who had recently moved to Texas. I hadn’t seen Margi since a Fourth of July celebration three years earlier. I’ve gotten to know her better…
Together — Mark Harrington
A Boston native, Mark has spent 25 years on the faculty of the Dallas Independent School District. A believer that what Hanna Arendt termed “the life of the mind” is the richest gift we give the young, Mark continues to find inspiration and joy in teaching. Mark has been published in The Dallas Morning News, The Boston Globe, and various professional publications. His classes have been featured on KERA, the local public television station. Mark knows the MG journey is not solitary. Blessed with wonderful, loving family and friends, he hopes his writing will assist others as they navigate life with myasthenia gravis.
Featured Post
Life with an invisible illness can still be fun
I’m not the first guy to discover that myasthenia gravis (MG) deserves membership in the select group known as invisible illnesses. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the impact that life with such an illness…
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Changing the darkness of medical trauma into gold
Note: This column includes thoughts about suicide. Resources for help are listed at the end of the column. This week I did a self-inventory, as I’d become concerned about a few things. I noticed…
Life taught me that nothing is guaranteed, so I live in the present
“Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh.” — Matthew 25:13 These words have been at the forefront of my thoughts in the past few…
Living with MG showed me ‘there are worse things’ than time alone
One of my catchphrases, stolen from my father, is “there are worse things than being alone.” I’ve always known these were borrowed words, but yesterday’s Rare Disease Day provided the impetus I needed…
Myasthenia gravis can be easier with a positive outlook
I’ve learned that I have my best days when I maintain an optimistic, positive outlook. Some days the challenges of life with myasthenia gravis (MG) make such an outlook almost impossible. Emphasis…
Why reducing stress is important for MG patients
When I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2020, I decided to find out all I could about the disease. I love to read, so I started with the written word.
The importance of patience on the MG journey
I’ve always considered myself a patient man. One doesn’t succeed as a teacher without some degree of the trait. But the past four weeks have shown me that life with myasthenia gravis (…
3 tips for enjoying the holidays while living with myasthenia gravis
Take away any religious connections, and the period from the end of November through the start of January is still the most festive time of the year. Decorating our homes, hosting and attending holiday…
This December, I’ll honor those who’ve passed and share their gifts
Every December, I perform a painful yet cathartic ritual: I find a quiet time free of intrusions and, with a glass of killer eggnog, sit down to listen to the musical “Les Misérables.”…
How the MG community renewed my faith and gratitude
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the past year’s blessings. It’s also a time to express gratitude for the people and things that make our lives meaningful and joyful. However, for some people, Thanksgiving…
When MG has me reeling, I turn to the healing power of reading
My earliest school memories revolve around reading class. I couldn’t wait until after lunch, when we’d get out our books and take turns reading. I loved Dick and Jane, Sally, Mother, Father, and…
Understanding the shame that came with my MG was half the battle
In the novel “Till We Have Faces,” C.S. Lewis wrote, “Don’t you think the things people are most ashamed of are the things they can’t help?” These words resonated with me as…
