Understanding to better cope
As a nurse, Eran was nearly able to diagnose himself. It was one of his colleagues who showed him his test results and said, "Look and read." That’s how he found out he had Myasthenia Gravis. And even though he already had some medical knowledge, he still had to do his own research, understand on his own what it really meant, how the disease worked in his own body.
For him, that’s actually the best advice he can give to someone newly diagnosed: seek out information, learn, understand. That’s what really helped him manage what came next.
A career turned upside down
Eran was a nurse in the operating room, living a very dynamic life fueled by adrenaline and responsibility. He was always on the move. But everything changed the day he could no longer walk. That’s when he had to completely rethink his lifestyle.
It’s been 11 years now since he had to stop working. He had to give up his career, yes, but not who he is. Staying true to himself has been one of his first battles. He fights the disease to stay connected to who he truly is deep down.
Adapting as a team
Eran says it without hesitation: his wife is his rock, his greatest source of support. She works in healthcare too, so she understands what Myasthenia is. But even with that knowledge, it’s not easy for her to see him facing the daily challenges that come with the condition. That’s why he insists: mutual support is essential. And in the end, love wins. As he puts it simply, “She’s my whole world, my wife. She’s the most important.”
But even with all that support, independence remains essential for him. He will do everything to maintain it. He doesn’t like asking others for help, so he adapts. He moved from using a cane to a wheelchair, and at every step, he relearns how to manage on his own, how to cope, how to move forward without depending on someone else.
Therapy through gardening and cooking
Since he had to stop working but still wants to stay active, Eran found other ways to stay engaged. For him, it’s proof that having the disease doesn’t mean you have to stop living: in fact, quite the opposite. He even discovered a real passion for cooking and gardening. He says with a smile, “Thanks to that, my wife hasn’t cooked for 11 years!” These hobbies let him escape, stay grounded, and most importantly, continue to find joy in his days.
Never give up
Eran speaks sincerely to those newly diagnosed: “Learn about your disease. Myasthenia is a broad-spectrum illness. You need to understand how it affects your body and your life; that’s how you begin to learn to live with it.”
He also shares a meaningful anecdote: “In Israel, we say, ‘Myasthenic people, raise your hands!’ Except we can’t raise our arms. And in Hebrew, that phrase also means ‘don’t give up.’ So I say it loud and clear: myasthenics, never give up. We are fighters.”
Every story has something to teach us.
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EU-UNB-25-00062 - Date of preparation: July 2025
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