Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Darryl Grant

The lupus community includes people living with lupus, friends, family and supporters across Georgia. For Lupus Awareness Month, we would like to highlight some of our lupus heroes and champions. 

Darryl Grant

My name is Darryl Grant. I was diagnosed with lupus in 2011. My navigation with the disease has been a challenging journey. I really think I had lupus 2 years earlier. At first, my hands began to swell as well as feeling tired before I left to go to work.

It really got serious for me when I passed out at work. My primary doctor saw where it was something more. He called a Rheumatologist specialist to see me that day. Urine and blood samples were taken. Later that day, I received a call to inform me that I have lupus. The doctor wanted to see me the following day. I was admitted into the hospital for a kidney biopsy. When I was finally released, I had received chemotherapy for a year to help my kidneys.

In 2017, another dreaded day came for me. I could barely walk on my right side because of the pain and joint aching. I went to see an Orthopedic bone specialist for an x-ray and MRI. Soon after, I was told that I needed a hip replacement. Previously, I loved being outdoors but lupus slowed my outdoor activities down.  

They always say that about 10% of men have this disease, but I believe it’s much higher. From all the curve balls that have been thrown at me, I still know that I’m blessed with the help of God and a supporting family.

-Darryl Grant