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Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Lakiva Watkins

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. 


Lakiva Watkins

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After a 5 month battle of unknowns, I was diagnosed with Lupus in early 2016. Funny because I received the official diagnosis from my Rheumatologist on April Fools Day LOL. I didn't know a lot about the disease but I did know that I didn't want to be the sick girl that missed out on life. I was a 39 year old wife and mom of 2 very socially active kids. I volunteer with their Girl and Boy Scouts troops, PTA Board, School Booster Club and all of the activities they were involved with. I have yet to miss a performance, a game, a meeting or camping trip, and I was determined to not let Lupus get in the way of my track record. I didn't want the disruption that I thought came along with Lupus.

Luckily I have the best kind of Lupus if there is such a thing. When I say best kind, I mean my organs have not been effected. I mostly suffer from joint pain and inflammation in my fingers, hands, arms, shoulders and hips. Whoa... that sounds like a lot. Well... Sometimes it is... a host of fantastic doctors help keep me all the way together.

Today, we’re living with Lupus. I say we because I have an awesome support system of friends and family that support and lift me up during this journey. Yes there are horrible days, yes there are cancellations, yes there are days to push through, BUT there are wonderful days that FAR outweigh the others.

The awareness of this terrible disease is so unknown that very little research has been done. I’d love your support to get the word out about Lupus.

- Lakiva Watkins, Team Proud to Be Purple