Painting for Kicks on
Rare Disease Day

This Rare Disease Day, come together with NFL running back Dexter Williams, his mother, Cheryl, and the rest of the myasthenia gravis (MG) community for a virtual community art event to raise MG awareness.

If you are part of the MG community, you have an important story to tell.

About My MG Solemates

My MG Solemates uses art to express the stories of everyone in the MG community. It doesn’t matter if you’re an accomplished artist or haven’t painted anything since grade school—powerful stories can be told through all levels of art. No shoes, no problem! You can use whatever canvas you’ve got.

This year’s event

On Rare Disease Day, gather your family and invite your friends and support groups to collectively tell your MG stories during a fun community art event. NFL running back Dexter Williams and his mother, Cheryl, who lives with MG, will also share their inspiring MG story that motivated Dexter to represent MG for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats program. Add your voice to the cause with a pair of your own MG-inspired shoes or any piece of art that tells your MG story!

EVENT DETAILS

Sunday,
February 28

4:00 pm ET / 1:00 pm PT

How to participate in My MG Solemates

1

Get involved

Sign up and invite your family, supporter or MG support group to participate with you, or participate on your own. Every voice matters!

2

Choose your canvas

It can be a pair of shoes, a hat, a shirt or something else! You can also print one of our templates from the art kit or draw your own. Whatever you choose can help tell your story.

3

Tell your story

When you you’ll receive some instructions and inspirational Story Starters to help with your design. On Rare Disease Day, join the MG community to paint or draw your MG story! Then, amplify your story by taking a photo of your art and sharing it on social media with #myMGsolemates and #rarediseaseday hashtags.

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Join to hear from Dexter and Cheryl Williams

Green Bay Packers running back Dexter Williams has always been close with his mother, Cheryl, as he pursued his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. But her MG diagnosis brought them closer together than most mothers and sons.

They are each a rock for the other. Dexter draws inspiration from his mother’s battle with MG to fuel his NFL career, while Cheryl sees Dexter’s football journey as a reason to keep fighting. It’s why Dexter represented MG for this year’s My Cause My Cleats program and why he continues to advocate for the MG community today.

Dexter and Cheryl will share more about their story and MG advocacy efforts at the virtual, My MG Solemates: Painting for Kicks on Rare Disease Day event.

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Featuring shoe designer Marcus Rivero

Miami shoe designer Marcus Rivero, often known as Soles By Sir, channeled his love for sports into a newfound passion of designing cleats and athletic shoes for some of the biggest names in the NFL, MLB and NBA. This year, he partnered with Dexter Williams to create a pair of cleats inspired by MG. Marcus will share his process creating the cleats to help us all get inspired to tell our own stories.

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Now it’s your turn

On Rare Disease Day, get together with your family and join the rest of the MG community for an art event where you will design your own MG-inspired art. During the virtual session, you’ll be creating meaningful art with amateurs and experts alike who are united in this family-friendly art project that raises awareness for MG.

See how other My MG Solemates have shared their stories, and get inspired to share yours.

My MG Solemates Gallery

Tommy’s Philadelphia Eagles shoe art
“My family being there for me was just a tremendous aid.” Tommy
Louisiana
Niki’s shoe art
“MG has been an uphill battle, but a pleasant one because I’ve made it that way.” Niki
Wisconsin
Alesheia’s shoe art
“It’s great to use my creative energy to help try and bring more calm, less stress, more healing.” Alesheia
Michigan
Greg’s shoe art
“Through sharing your story, you just never know who’s going to jump on your team with you.” Greg
Massachusetts
Mike and Jackson’s shoe art
“Life with my son Jackson has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my MG journey.” Mike
West Virginia
Ed the Artist’s shoe art
“Art is definitely therapy to me. It’s soothing to sit down and create.” @Edtheartist
My MG Sole Resident Artist
Abby’s shoe art
“I really like art. It's something that helped soothe me when I, like, am stressed out, and it's something that I love to do and I’ve always done.” Abby
Massachusetts
Alicia’s shoe art
“My life has changed drastically since being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, but I’m learning to adapt.” Alicia
New York
Lauren’s and Dave’s shoe art
“We have just completed our MG Sole art project, decorating our shoes and I definitely channeled my inner artistry and my mother would be very proud of me.” Lauren and Dave
South Carolina
Rachel’s shoe art
“I was stoked. Dude, who doesn’t love playing with paint? It’s awesome.” Rachel
Texas
Jessica’s shoe art
“When I first heard about this project, I was really excited because any type of creative outlet I think is always good.” Jessica
Florida
DaDonna’s shoe art
“The right shoe, on the other hand, will still be colorful and lovely, but the colors will be subtler pastels.” DaDonna
Florida
Dawn’s shoe art
“Thankfully, I have a very supportive spouse and family and friends.” Dawn
Georgia
Alexis’ family’s shoe art
“I choose to find the good in each day.” Alexis
Georgia
Kelsey’s shoe art
“When I heard about MG Sole, I thought this is perfect.” Kelsey
Kansas

ENTER YOUR EMAIL TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT.

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SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT.

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Thank you!

Thanks for signing up. You will receive an email with some more information about the event. Download this art kit to get inspired, and we’ll see you on Rare Disease Day.

DOWNLOAD NOW

If you have a minute, tell us more about yourself.

Which category best describes you?

Gender

What type of content are you most interested in seeing on MG United?

Disclaimer: Filling out this information is optional and not required to register for the event. You have already registered for the event.

Thank you, again.

We'll make sure we share content most relevant to you. Download this art kit to get inspired, and we'll see you on Rare Disease Day.

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All signed up? We’ll see you on February 28th!

On the morning of the event, you will receive an email with a link to create an account. The event will officially start at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT, but you can join up to 15 minutes early to help yourself get situated.

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Want to attend?

Painting for Kicks on Rare Disease Day is available only when you sign up for MG United. Signing up is always free.

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