23 -- The Portal / NEW WORLD
I live near Ridgeway, SC. In the town there’s an archway, all that is left of the old school. It’s a pretty cool relic. I’ve always referred to it as “The Portal To Another Dimension.” In many ways, I feel like I stepped through a portal into another very strange dimension called Myasthenia Gravis. So many changes, everywhere, in such a short span of time. At home, there are subtle differences in our living space. There’s a chair in my bathroom because I can’t always stand up to comb my hair, brush my teeth, or put on my makeup. It’s just exhausting, and I sometimes find it easier to do those things seated. In the corner of the bedroom, there’s an overnight bag. It’s my “Grab and Run” hospital bag. Already packed with pajamas, toiletries, a phone charger, other odds and ends that I’d need for a hospital stay. There’s a squeeze respirator in a basket in the den; another one is in the car. ...