When Career Goals Collide with Myasthenia Gravis

By the time Meridith graduated from college, she had been living with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) for years. However, entering the workforce presented a new set of challenges that she didn't foresee. 

“I found that the workforce is like any other obstacle or challenge or situation I faced in my life in that it wasn't as welcoming as I hoped it to be. When I was requesting accommodations for work, I quickly noticed that I was not getting these jobs or they weren't willing to make these accommodations.”

Life with a rare disease means thinking outside the box. Meridith earned an advanced degree to better her chances of starting her career, but she had a similar outcome when she completed her graduate education. That is when she decided to start her own patient advocacy business.

“I work with people and teach them all about the patient experience, and doing so allows me to dictate my own schedule without having to sacrifice financial independence or my health.”

Since recording this video, Meredith’s career has taken another exciting step, thanks to her hard work and tenacity. She now works at the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, a patient advocacy organization dedicated to finding a cure for MG while improving the lives of people living with the disease.   

Watch to learn more about Meredith’s inspiring story of carving her own career path with a rare, autoimmune disease.

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