I read an article this morning in the Daily Mail about Monica Seles, the tennis legend. She has Myasthenia Gravis and has begun to use her voice to spread awareness. The article said she first started noticing something was off while playing tennis with her family and friends. Sometimes she would see two balls instead of one, which doesn’t work so well from a tennis perspective. Diplopia (double vision) is a common symptom among people with MG.
I reached out to her this morning on her Instagram page inviting her to join us here on my blog. Wouldn’t that be fun to have such a celebrity within our group of MG warriors?
Why is it so important to spread awareness about MG?
I’ve written about this before, but it never hurts to bring it up again. There’s actually several good reason to spread awareness:
- Early Diagnosis Saves Lives – MG symptoms, such as muscle weakness, double vision, and difficulty breathing, can be mistaken for other conditions. Awareness helps patients, families, and healthcare providers recognize the signs sooner, leading to faster and more effective treatment.
- Better Access To Treatment – Awareness creates demand for medical research, improved medicines and treatments, and access to specialized care. Awareness can also influence healthcare policy and funding for rare diseases like MG.
- Support for Patients and Families – MG is often misunderstood. Awareness reduces stigma, increases empathy, and helps patients feel less isolated while navigating the challenges of MG.
- Improved Emergency Response – In severe cases, MG can cause a “myasthenic crisis”, a life-threatening condition where breathing muscles weaken. If more people are aware, including first responders and ER staff, patients are more likely to get immediate and appropriate care.
- Encourages Research and Funding – Public awareness draws attention from policymakers, researchers, and funding organizations and may lead to improved treatments, more effective management strategies, and ultimately a cure!
I was happy to hear that Monica Seles has chosen to become a voice for MG advocacy. We need all the help we can get. If you’re on Instagram, take a look at Ms. Seles’ postings, maybe even drop her a message. Let her know she’s not alone in her fight with MG and encourage her to join us here on www.mglifebygreg.com.
Just goes to show you that MG can strike anyone at any time. Thank goodness, there are people like Monica Seles who want to do more than just live with MG, she chooses to help others with MG in the process.
Together we are #MGStrong!