Zeal! The 16th Annual Coraggio Spirit Award is presented to Erik Rayford who with an illuminating smile, warmly shares his tips for navigating life with myasthenia gravis symptoms and treatments. He uses the Coraggio “take charge” philosophy to fuel his zeal for life and to encourage others with myasthenia gravis (MG.)
The Coraggio Spirit Award is annually presented to a person facing life-changing challenges by living the Coraggio theme: thatpersevere and resiliently lead a life of purpose and joy.
Erik Rayford with L-R Susan Woolner, Esther Land, Lisa Gigliotti 10-10-26
“Thank you for wearing your shirt today”, I said to the person ahead of me in the checkout line today. I did not know their political philosophy, social status, or religion. What mattered was that we had a single goal for the day…to sprinkle goodness around us. The World is a Better Place with You in It.
In search of a personal, display of love Mother’s Day gift? A Coraggio: With Courage I Can book at the center of a themed gift basket. Happy to inscribe with a loving message and priority mail asap. Ideas: Courage from an Italian Grandmother surrounded by Italian treats. Or if that maternal figure in your life is experiencing grief or physical aches, perhaps Courage to Conquer pain surrounded by healing and meaningful items, here a colander filled with Eastern European herbal tea and treats.
Joy and Love for Everyone who’s been like a mother in your life!
Check out the inspiring Life as a Zebra Foundation webpage and meet the powerhouse foundation founder, who turned her medical challenges and frustrations into an organization to provide support and validation for all people whose symptoms are unique or not visible to others. In her words,
“Why “Life As A Zebra? In medical school, students are taught to diagnose patients based on the condition that’s most likely. This idea goes along with the saying, “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” The horses are the likely explanation, while the zebras are less likely. A medical zebra, then, is a person with a difficult to diagnose, often invisible medical condition.”
It’s snowflake season! As each snowflake is unique, so are the symptoms and journey for autoimmune illnesses such as myasthenia gravis. Come tomorrow night to inquire or to share with others along the journey. 7:00PM, Warren, Michigan. See Myasthenia Gravis Michigan website for info and an event near you! https://mg-mi.org/upcoming-events/
Inspired by Univ. Detroit Mercy Law honoring of student, alum, and professor veterans today. The recurrent speakers theme was that the personal courage, integrity, and ethics, learned during military service are essential to carry over into the practice of law and the impact on others of our actions and inactions. Coraggio!
On National Caregivers Day, gratitude to all who packed me and my wheelchair into their car to take me to medical appointments or spirit-lifting outings.
No matter what caregiving role you may play, may Coraggio (courage) provide the boost you need to lean a little harder into love to serve with patient, dignified care you didn’t know you possessed.
Inspiring! The 15th Annual Coraggio Award is presented to Yolanda Colette Arnold who refuses myasthenia gravis to define what gives her meaning in life and with courage determinedly works toward a life full of family, friends, faith, and encouraging others! The Coraggio Spirit Award is annually presented to a recipient who embodies the Coraggio theme: that With Courage You Can persevere and resiliently lead a life of purpose and joy.
Yolanda Colette Arnold celebrated a milestone last year: 30 years of living strong with myasthenia gravis (MG). After her ophthalmologist failed to determine the cause of droopy eyelids and double vision that affected her ability to drive to work, church, and family events, she used the Coraggio principle of believing there is an aspect of a dire health challenge over which you have control. She took charge by diligently seeking answers on her own until her efforts led to a diagnosis. This “take charge” philosophy fueled her continued search for work-arounds to help her to serve for more than a decade as a clerk at the high-traffic Wayne Court Probate court, raise her son, be active in her church and large family, and inspire others. She constantly thanks God for the good health aspects she has. In fulfilling her courageous and positive mindset to encourage others, she recently appeared as a panelist for two large, in person MG panel presentations, sharing her personal story, tips for knowing your body and working with your doctor, and answers to questions. She is frequently found participating in MG-MI virtual events, always offering words to assure others not to give up, to keep fighting, and like a warrior not let MG beat them. For Colette’s determination not to allow MG defeat her drive to live a meaningful life and for her grateful purpose of encouraging others to not give up with ideas to try instead, she is warmly and wholeheartedly awarded MG-MI’s 2025 Coraggio Spirit award!
Less than 10 days to reveal the 2025 Coraggio Spirit Award winner, and hear her courageous determination not to allow Myasthenia Gravis (MG) to defeat her drive to live a meaningful life and to encourage others to not give up. Join us at the 2025 MG-MI Annual Patient Conference on October 11, 2025, learn about MG and how to live your best life with MG, while cheering on the Coraggio Spirit Award presentation to this inspiring woman! https://secure.qgiv.com/for/MG-MIConferences/event/mgmipatienteducationconference2025/
Luisa Spagnoli used Coraggio to chase her dream despite those in 1920s Italy who claimed a woman could not be a successful chocolatier, especially if sweets were wrapped with a message. Ha! Worldwide strong 100 yrs later! A chocolate bacio (kiss) with message of love! È perfetto! #InternationalWomensDay2025
Lisa Gigliotti is an attorney who has lived for more than twenty-five years with severe rheumatoid arthritis and serious myasthenia gravis. Through those years’ thirteen major surgeries and use of a wheelchair Lisa has maintained a fulfilling and positive life.
