My neurologist who treats me for Myasthenia Gravis is about 120 miles away from my home. He usually sees patients that live a distance away, even 2000 miles away. He’s that good and he’s one of a few doctors who specializes in this rare disease.

One of the things that I really like about him is that he teaches me about my disease. He doesn’t just treat me – write a prescription, send me for tests and then sends me on my way. He spends the time to educate me on my symptoms, what to look for if I feel my symptoms worsening and what to do.

He doesn’t view me as a body to poke and prod or a list of symptoms. I’m a person with a life, a family, and the will to go on living as normally as possible. To know that he wants the best for me and that he believes I can understand what to do in an emergency or before one arises, what to do or not to do to keep my as symptom free as possible is a refreshing.

I’ve seen too many doctors who see you for 5 – 10 minutes, maybe ask a couple of questions and send you off with a prescription with no explanation about what it is, what it’s for and how to take it.

The medical community needs to educate us to keep us free from disease and/or complications. I pray that more doctors learn from my neuro. If yours doesn’t speak up! Ask questions, let him or her know that you want to know, have the right to know and are the best person to know when things aren’t feeling right.

Being proactive can make anyone’s health condition better especially those of us with Chronic Illnesses.