Bryan, who came out as gay shortly after high school, has always embraced his unique identity, sharing it openly when comfortable. In the past, Bryan ran his own remodeling and construction company and enjoyed working on cars. He is passionate about the outdoors, fishing, vegetable gardening, theatre, singing, sewing, cooking, and especially loves feeding people. His health journey has been arduous, taking nearly seven years to diagnose Myasthenia Gravis (MG) alongside systemic lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, dysautonomia (POTS), hypothyroidism, depression, anxiety, and medical PTSD. Additionally, Bryan is part of genetic research for a unique variant of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2P affecting his family. Bryan was gracious enough to share with us a little snippet of his journey, being part of the LBGQ+ and MG community.
(Below are words by Bryan Bosch)
With June being Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month and also Pride Month for the LGBT+ Community. I myself, a gay man living with MG, reflect on my journey to diagnosis, which was long, difficult, frustrating and frightening. It was also a relief to get a diagnosis. It filled me with hope, I found acceptance, and it brought me strength I didn't know I had. This is also reflective of my journey to discovering who I am as a gay man.
My medical appointments look a little different than other people's when I see new providers. Typically, the first questions I am asked by said providers are: What is your HIV/AIDS Status and my STD/STI Status. I had a surgery and when I was coming out of anesthesia I was asked if I was HIV+ because when the doctor cut into my arm he hit a vein and blood got on his face. I completely understand the concern, but it was not handled appropriately. No one looked at my medical chart to see that I am tested regularly, even though my partner and I have been together for 17 years monogamously. I should never have been put in that position in front of other patients.
When it comes to the LGBT+ Community, there are many of us who want to love everyone, befriend others, and who want to help those in need. We also want the same experiences and quality of life....love, careers, good health, financial stability, families, vacations, peace, tranquility and happiness. There are also those in the LGBT+ Community who shun others when we become sick or have autoimmune diseases and we can no longer be who we used to be due to illness.
I am very thankful and lucky to have found such a loving, caring and accepting community within the MG Community. I have never felt left out, or less than. I have always felt safe and welcome. My Partner/Husband and I enjoy helping the MGA when and where we can. We love the friend's we have made. We look forward to when support groups and Young MG get together, the Triple Crown, Snowflake Shuffle, holiday parties and the Annual Meeting. I have never thought I could advocate for myself let alone someone else, but I have found my voice on the path to self-discovery within the path of my MG diagnosis.
With my advocacy voice, I have been able to reach farther and help others more than I could have ever imagined with the help of the MGA!
A note from the MGA, on Tuesday June 11th at 6:30pm we are a hosting a very special MG Pride Panel to bring light and attention to the LGBT+ community. To learn more and register please click here.
Bryan, Thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry you weren't treated with the respect you deserve. All of us should receive the same respect and medical-history-attentiveness that any other person does. So glad to know you and have you as part of our community!