If you’ve read my blogs for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that I often use the phrase #MGStrong. That hashtag goes back to the Twitter days and is now still active on X, after Twitter was purchased and the name changed.
#MGStrong refers to the fact that if we remain strong together, we can get through this. I totally believe that. Fighting any battle alone is a difficult challenge, but when we pull from the strength of many, we can do so much more.
If you search #MGStrong on X, numerous sites come up. One that I found most interesting included a quote from Celine Dion. She doesn’t have Myasthenia Gravis (she has Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS)), but her quote was still apropos for us.
Celine Dion said:
“If I can’t run, I will walk. If I can’t walk, I will crawl. But I won’t stop.”
That’s the kind of outlook and perseverance we need to have and we need to use those traits to inspire others.
I stumbled upon one other quote from the Myasthenia Gravis Association that struck me. I’m going to take the liberty of paraphrasing their quote and changing it ever so slightly because I find the changes make it more profound.
In a World where you can be Anything, Choose to be Optimistic.
If I were asked to name the top three things a person needs to do to help them through Myasthenia Gravis, it would be:
- Never stop fighting
- Stay positive
- Remember that you’re not in this alone
Giving up is never a solution. It may be an option, but it’s a poor one. God didn’t place us on this earth to give up. He placed us here to thrive. We can only do that if we choose not to give in to what MG is trying to do to us. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but never give up.
Staying positive is sometimes difficult with MG, but if you can learn to refocus your mind on positive things, you’ll control MG; it won’t control you. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish when you focus on being positive. The negativity that often accompanies difficult MG symptoms can’t stand a chance if we don’t allow MG to control us. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones motivates us and drives us to successful accomplishments. The best part is, our positive attitude becomes contagious and infects everyone around us.
Finally, realizing you’re not in this alone makes all the difference in the world. Since I’ve been writing this blog, I’ve received comments and messages from hundreds of people who have been positively impacted just by knowing there are others going through the same battles and sharing the same experiences. When we share our strength with someone who needs it, we’re not only helping them; we’re helping ourselves, as well. The saying is true, there is “Strength in Numbers”. It’s not weakness when we choose to tap on the strength of others; it’s wisdom. It’s not bravery when we share our strength with others, it’s compassion.
There are all kinds of resources available for those of us with MG. The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America is a great place to start (https://myasthenia.org/)
I’d also encourage you to check out #MGStrong on X. You’ll be amazed at how many people are sharing their strength with others.
Thanks for reading and stay #MGStrong!
Leave a Reply