Megan Hunter was standing in a queue when she was ridiculed for wearing a mask that was actually saving her life. She wrote a post with a message we should all read.
Johannesburg, South Africa (24 October 2017) – “I have a name” is an awesome photo series showcasing everyday South Africans in the most phenomenal way. Proudly South African… one story at a time.
The stories are told by the incredible South Africans… raw & unedited. It’s a showcase of humanness, a reminder that behind every face, is a name.
Meet Megan Hunter… a South African sharing an important message.
“My name is Megan, being chronically ill is something I would never choose, nor would I wish it onto my worst enemy. Today I was reminded of how little the general public know about those who are fighting an invisible battle, and just how tough things can truly be.”
“I headed down to Randridge Mall to the Dis-Chem Pharmacies there to collect some of my chronic meds. I had finished the last of it this morning, and having just come out of hospital I was feeling strong and needed a change of scenery. Plus I knew it would be a quick five minute outing and I knew I could at least cope with that.”
Looking at her, you would never know that there is anything wrong. Megan looks like a “normal” 29 year old – especially after her emergency admission to High Care and five days of plasmapheresis.
“For those of you who don’t know, I have Myasthenia Gravis (a neuromuscular autoimmune disease that affects the message between my nerves & muscles).”
“My latest treatment has completely destroyed my immune system, meaning that I cannot fight off a simple cold and have to stay in isolation as much as possible.”
This means she has to wear a medical mask whenever she is around other people. Megan didn’t want to look “sick” and wanted something to make her happy, so she ordered a special mask from overseas that is pink with hearts and rainbows – it makes her smile and reminds her that there is always something good after a storm.
“I also sometimes have to use a cane/walking stick (a beautiful floral one that belonged to my Gogo that makes me feel bolder to go out into the world) to help me get around.”
Everyone at Dischem knows Megan by now as she goes there so often, and she is always greeted with a smile and questions about how she is feeling.
Today was different. Today was tough.
As Megan was waiting in the queue at the pharmacy, a young girl in front of her turned around, looked at her and started to laugh. She then turned to her mother/older sister and said, “you have to see the girl behind us wearing a crazy mask. What does she think this is?” The older lady very turned around as well, gave Megan big eyes and immediately burst out laughing.
For the rest of the time that they were being served, they kept turning to look at Megan and discussing her – they didn’t even try to hide the fact!
“They seemed to think that the mask meant I was deaf and blind as well.”
“I wanted to cry.”
Usually Megan would have taken the opportunity to try to educate them about why she was wearing a mask, and that it is not simply to look “cool” or try to create a statement. It is not to draw attention to herself. It is to save her life.
Megan wrote a post instead, to raise even more awareness.
“Please, be aware of those fighting a battle that you know nothing about. Ask questions before you judge. And take the time to teach your children about people that are “different”. We all have hearts and souls, and it is moments like this that can truly break someone.”
“So next time you see me, please smile at me. Ask questions if you want to. And know that I appreciate each of you who takes the time to learn more about Rare Diseases”
Megan’s contact details are patients@rarediseases.co.za and you can follow her blog here: https://mgsnowflake.blogspot.co.za/
“I Have A Name” is a space where an anonymous photographer (we’ll call her J) is taking photos of everyday South Africans to showcase their incredible stories.
How do we bridge the great South African divides? Black vs white, young vs old, rich vs poor, men vs women? The divides that keep us from making eye contact with the beggar standing on the street corner, or the stranger in the lift.
CS Lewis said, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”
Come with me on a journey…the stories and names behind the faces of everyday South Africans living their life in your neighbourhood, on your streets.
I think you will discover that we have a lot in common.
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My mother-in-law also has MG. It’s awful that you had to experience this public taunt Megan, I sincerely hope that those women read this and feel very ashamed of themselves! Thanks for being bold to speak out and share your story. Wishing you all the best!
Megan, on behalf of ignorant and cruel people I wish to apologise. I pray that a cure is found for your illness, my son was in isolation for 10days because his immune system crashed, so I fully understand that what you did was to save your life. May God Bless you abundantly.