On February 11th, 1847, one of the greatest inventors in history was born. Thomas Edison, known for his involvement in the development of the light bulb, was passionate about creating new things, and moreover; he created things that could help humankind. A brilliant and talented man, Edison also happened to be deaf, something he believed to be an asset rather than a setback.
To this day, we still benefit from Edison’s wisdom, but perhaps it is his insight and the way in which he viewed his deafness that is so enlightening.
A life with myasthenia can be tricky. One may have to make sacrifices at times or even change their lifestyle entirely. It is difficult to have a positive outlook when one thing after another becomes a frustration, especially the simplest things like brushing your hair or chewing your food. At the flip of a switch, myasthenia can wreak havoc on your body, and the unpredictability of the disease aggravates the mind. While we can’t all be geniuses, it is possible to take a note from Edison’s book. How can we use myasthenia gravis to our advantage? Or, how has myasthenia gravis helped you or others in some way?
MG has taught me to slow down and to prioritize the things that matter to me rather than waste time on the things that do not.
MG has opened the door to new people, new relationships, and communities I am privileged to be a part of.
MG has allowed me to explore my passions in a unique and personal way. I get to write things I am enthusiastic about, help people with matters that are important to me, collaborate with others to make a substantial difference in the world.
Those are just a few examples of how I see myasthenia gravis as a benefit in my life. Although there are plenty of days and nights when I feel the injustice of this illness and can’t make sense of why I was handed this particular baton, the myasthenia gravis community has made great strides in the last 50 years. There is a multitude of treatment options, support from others near and far, and tons of people that are passionate about finding a cure for this debilitating disease.
Unlike “The Clapper,” we can’t turn MG off when we want to. Thomas Edison couldn’t turn his deafness off either. Instead, we can utilize our illness to empower ourselves to be the people we have the potential to be. Let your light shine. In spite of my slouchy smile sometimes, I know I will be beaming with pride.
The following blog post was written by Meridith O'Connor, St. Louis Program Coordinator of the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
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