58. Darkness: Write a poem or journal entry inspired by what you can’t see.
What happens in the body when there is an auto-immune disorder? The immune system gets so good at responding to threats that it decides that the body itself is a threat and starts attacking the host. Chaos ensues.
Myasthenia gravis is an auto-immune neuro-muscular disorder with symptoms that include weakness in the arm and leg muscles, double vision and difficulties with speech and chewing. The condition is caused by a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. Specifically, the problem occurs at the neuro-muscular junction which results from antibodies that block or destroy nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChR) at the junction between the nerve and muscle. This prevents nerve impulses from triggering muscle contractions.
I often think about the neuron synapses, where the neuron releases the acetylcholine but the acetylcholine gets blocked from being used. Although I can’t see it, I can imagine it. And wish for something different.
