My name is Ray Cora. I’m 32 years young, from the Bronx, New York, and I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 24.

One of the hardest parts of living with lupus is that I often don’t look how I feel. People may see me smiling, working, or showing up for my daughter, but they don’t see the mornings when I have to fight just to get out of bed. The inflammation, the flares, and the joint pain can be difficult to explain, especially when there’s nothing visible to show how much I’m hurting.

I’m learning to give myself grace on the hard days and to let the people who love me understand what I’m going through. Lupus is part of my life, but it doesn’t define all of who I am. I’m a mother, and every day I choose to keep going for my little girl and for myself. Some days strength looks like doing everything I planned. Other days, it looks like getting out of bed. Both count. 💜