Many people have never heard of myasthenia gravis (MG) when they receive their MG diagnosis. Jeri was familiar with this rare, autoimmune disease because she has a sister-in-law who also lives with the disease. Nevertheless, Jeri’s first MG crisis took her by surprise. Out shopping, she started to feel weak and could barely breathe or swallow. Thankfully, her sisters were there to take her to the emergency room for MG crisis treatment. 

Jeri spent many years in and out of hospitals, relying on a wheelchair or walker to get around due to her muscle weakness. Her myasthenia gravis had a significant impact on her ability to live her life and parent her children. It was incredibly difficult to have to rely on her mother, sisters, and then-husband to care for her children — and help Jeri manage her MG symptoms.

“You feel like you’re a bystander and you watch as your children are growing up and there’s things you want desperately to do for them, and you can’t” shares Jeri.

But today Jeri remains hopeful about her life with myasthenia gravis. “I stay hopeful and remember the good days that I’ve had, and that I know I’m going to have again.” 

Watch to learn more about Jeri’s inspiring story of life with this rare, autoimmune disease.

Want to hear from more people living with generalized Myasthenia Gravis about their experiences? Meet Meredith, Bryan, SeAndrea, Jessica, Tiffany, Thomas, and Kim.