» On 1/01/2026 12:01:00 AM Mountain Standard Time, Alan wrote:
MG Iconography/Mythology: Snowflake, Sloth, Spoons! 

Myasthenia Gravis is often called the Snowflake Disease because, like snowflakes, no two cases are precisely alike, with symptoms varying widely in type, severity, and timing for each individual. This nickname reflects the condition's unpredictable nature, when symptoms like drooping eyelids, double vision, or muscle weakness can appear and disappear, worsen with exertion, and improve with rest, making each patient's journey unique and requiring personalized treatment. Also, an abstract teal snowflake is the symbol and brand of MGFA, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

The sloth is the unofficial mascot for Myasthenia Gravis because MG patients like to use the animal as a representation of the way they manage their energy, adopting "Sloth Mode" to conserve strength by prioritizing rest and pacing activities, mirroring the sloth's naturally slow pace to cope with profound muscle weakness from this autoimmune condition. While sloths are naturally slow due to low metabolism, MG patients embrace slow living to avoid fatigue, turning the animal's trait into a positive, adaptive strategy for daily life.

The Spoon Theory is a concept used by MG patients to signify how they manage limited energy. Spoons are metaphors describing the amount of physical or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become limited. The idea was expressed in a 2003 essay by American writer Christine Miserandino. She describes her experience with chronic illness, using a handful of spoons to represent the units of energy available to perform everyday actions. The Spoon Theory has since been used to describe a wide range of disabilities and mental health issues.

And June is MG Awareness Month!

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