What did Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Academy Award-winning actor Sir Lawrence Olivier, and a four-year-old girl named Hattie, have in common?
They all had or have a neurological disease that affected their muscles called Myasthenia Gravis (MG).
MG is a chronic disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of voluntary muscle groups and is thought to affect 20 out of 100,000 people in the United States. Among a variety of symptoms accompanying MG are slurred speech, weakness in the limbs, a drooping eyelid, and difficulty breathing. For some, the symptoms come and go–one day they are fine taking steps, and the next day…well, not so much.
There are five classifications of MG:
Every year, the month of June is designated as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness month, but elevating awareness shouldn’t be limited to one month a year–and one that only has 30 days! With every opportunity, the MG community is speaking out for a cure!
PW is speaking out for Hattie and all the other people living with MG who need to have their voices heard. Share this post and if you, or a loved one, are living with MG, and would like to find a support group, click here.
