I always get really excited when I meet people who are named Kerri(-with-an-I). Yesterday, I received a request on Twitter from another Kerri to guest post [the second one this week, actually. We Kerris are into advocacy, it seems!].
Kerri has Myasthenia Gravis, an incurable autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular system, and uses social media to educate others about the condition. In addition, she leans on the Eternal Rock to help her cope, and her faith in Jesus shines through in both her blog and her guest post here.
Thanks for sharing, Kerri!
—
I am shocking.
I can hurt you.
I will devastate your life, and change it in ways you could never imagine.
I can be the worst thing to ever happen to you, OR
I can be the best thing to ever happen to you.
I might take away your ability to work,
or walk
or laugh
or breathe
or see
or think clearly
or even live.
My name is chronic illness.
I will damage the connection between your nerves and muscles.
I will effect your ability to speak,
to swallow
to walk without falling
to hold your own head up
to breathe on your own
to go out alone
to be independent
to live a “normal” life.
My name is myasthenia gravis.
I will save your life.
I will cause you more trouble.
I may make you gain weight.
I may make you grumpy
or tired
or weepy
or hungry
or sad.
I usually help more than I hurt, so you keep me.
I may make you feel trapped.
My name is medication.
I can save your life.
I can give you a reason to go on.
I can bring you back from the edge.
I can make life bearable.
I will never give up.
I will help you fight when you just don’t want to.
I will help you go when you just want to stop.
My name is HOPE.
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I am Freedom.
I am Emmanuel.
I am the Prince of Peace.
I am the Healer.
I am Wonderful.
I am your Counselor.
I am your Savior.
My name is JESUS.”
—
Kerri Sweeris is a wife and mother of one miracle child, a 5 year old named Jacob. She gets through life with the encouragement of good friends, a lot of humor, and by the grace of God. Kerri blogs at Sick of MG – Living with Chronic Illness.
God bless you. My cousin has Myasthenia Gravis and she has Jesus too. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for shining His light in the darkness!
Thanks, Meggs! Is your cousin online? Is she hooked up with support groups or anything? Would love to meet her!
That was such a beautiful poem-so many of those lines struck home to me. What a brilliant idea to put your story onto paper in the form of a poem.
I was really humbled reading it.
Thanks so much for hooking up with other Kerri and guesting here.
Take good care,
Susannah