This week commemorated the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Pres. George H. W. Bush. No better to celebrate than to look toward the 2024 Paralympics. Starting 8/28/24, more than one million tickets sold and 1,000 no steps accessible Paris region accommodations available via Airbnb alone. Over 4,000 courageous athletes will compete with resilience and determination for 549 medal events across 22 sports. Coraggio!
Inspiration from the 2023 Coraggio Spirit Award winner on World Mental Health Day. She receives the award for her positive attitude of adaptability. After a childhood struggle with the physical limitations of myasthenia gravis, her attitude of adaptability guided her to an occupational therapy career, where she helps patients figure a way to adapt and again achieve a meaningful activity, therefore defeating emotions of despair. A critical mental health practice embraced by the Coraggio theme that With Courage you can take charge of your mental health well-being. Meet Aimee virtually at the MG-MI conference awards video on theMG-MI YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@MG-MI


Caregiving assumes many forms. Universal for all, caregiving allows a pause in self-focus, a rise above oneself, and a cultivation of compassion so profound as to forge a bond of love that exceeds all limits.
On National Caregivers Day, do not underestimate the power of a touch, of patient listening, or helping with a simple task.

Bottom right image: Sisters provide guidance and care at a Canton, Ohio area school where 94% of students live at or below poverty.
You won’t want to miss this year’s Coraggio Spirit Award presentation Saturday, 10/23/22, at Noon EST! Join us via Zoom to hear Ashley Boucher talk about what motivates her indominable and passionate Coraggio Spirit to live a life of purpose and joy with myasthenia gravis (MG), and what fires up her zeal to volunteer for MG-MI, especially to encourage young people that With Courage You Can!
Join Zoom starting at 9AM and learn from MG and disability experts…the MG-MI Annual Patient Education Conference is free, merely register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-patient-education-conference-registration-421799913897

On the National Day of Encouragement, I am uplifted by the tender acts, small and large, others have done to encourage me. Will you join me today and this week in encouraging someone? Simple, no cost ideas: call someone and say, “I love you” or “Thank you”; email an inspirational phrase, story, or faith quote; find a postcard or note card you never used and mail a simple message; say a prayer for someone; or smile at a stranger or an employee.
Coraggio = enCOURAGEment!

You may recall Marilyn, the 2017 recipient because of her courage to keep hope despite needing a ventilator to breathe. Myasthenia weakened her diaphragm and she courageously tried a novel diaphragm pacer procedure to stimulate the muscle and help her inhale. I ran into her at a MG-MI support meet and she has been ventilator free and smiling from dimple to dimple! Yay for Coraggio and Marilyn’s hopeful determination! Spread the word about this innovation for vent-dependent myasthenics!

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.
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