Hello, my name is Stephanie. I am a proud first-generation Guatemalan American and a dedicated social worker with an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree in Social Work. I am currently preparing for my LCSW exam, a milestone I’ve worked hard to reach.

My journey with lupus began when I was 12 years old, around 2007 to 2008. At the time, lupus was not widely recognized, and it took multiple diagnoses before we understood what I was facing. With treatment, I managed well for several years, until 2015, a year that changed everything.

In 2015, I lost my brother, who was only 21. Grieving that loss made it incredibly difficult to care for myself, and my health declined. At 19, I went into kidney failure and began hemodialysis. By early 2016, my kidneys briefly recovered enough for me to come off dialysis, but by the end of that year my kidney function declined again, and I needed a transplant.

In 2017, my loving aunt gave me the most selfless gift by donating her kidney. For several years my health improved, and life felt stable again. But with lupus and the challenges of staying consistent with my medications, complications developed, and my transplanted kidney began to fail. At 30 years old, I returned to dialysis and chose peritoneal dialysis to have more flexibility in my life.

I am now preparing for another transplant and am incredibly fortunate to have both my husband and my best friend step forward to see if they can be my donor match. Their support reminds me that even in the hardest seasons, I am not alone.

Sharing my journey is my way of helping others feel seen, supported, and less alone. Living with lupus has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of advocating for my body and well-being. My faith in God continues to guide me, giving me hope, strength, and courage to face challenges.

To all my lupus warriors, remember that lupus does not define us. We are stronger than the challenges we face, and together we continue to rise. Never feel ashamed to seek therapy. Reaching out for mental health support helped me process the heavy emotions that come with chronic illness and gave me tools to move forward with clarity and strength. You deserve that support, compassion, and the freedom to prioritize your health.