This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first Myasthenia Gravis chapter meeting. The NJ chapter holds about four to six meetings a year. They meet about an hour from my house, and since I can't drive as far as I used to without my arms and neck tiring, my sister acted as driver. We made a few references to "Driving Miss Daisy" and off we went!
I was very excited to finally meet other people who live with MG. MGer's as my friend Kerri calls us. I still don't know what most people prefer, I guess I'll learn as I go to more meetings! The people were warm, friendly, and gracious. Many shared their stories, they talked of daily struggles and ways to overcome obstacles they faced. The chapter has a lending library, you take a book home and mail it back to the librarian when you're finished.
A guest speaker was also on the agenda. Her name was Lisa K. Gigliotti, J.D., an administrative law judge, a policy adviser for the Michigan State Senate and Governor, as well as an advocate for people with disabilities. Ms. Gigliotti is also an author and motivational speaker. She too lives with Myasthenia Gravis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Her presentation was called "Coraggio, Lessons for Living From an Italian Grandmother". Lisa talks about how she overcame the disabling effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis and later Myasthenia Gravis. She shares stories about her family, and how she drew strength and coraggio (courage) from her grandmother after the death of her mother and aunt.
I hope you get the chance to hear Lisa or read one of her books.
To visit Lisa's blog, or watch her video visit:
Lisa, Thank you for showing us how to live with "CORAGGIO!"
