Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Tamie Miller

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. 

Tamie Miller

Before lupus began to greatly affect my life, I was always full of energy. I was the type of person who always had to be doing something. Being a hairdresser, I was always on my feet and moving around, especially when I was working on set with different film crews. This had been my life for over 30 years. It was almost everything I had ever wanted, but I realized that I truly wanted to be a mother as well.

In 1997, I was blessed enough to bring a beautiful baby girl home from China to nurture and watch grow into a productive member of society. Once we were back in the United States, I had my first major flare up. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with me medically, but eventually, I got “better.” I decided to not work in the industry as much to spend more time with my daughter, but I did continue to do hair. I noticed my energy began to decrease, which led to doctor visits, and eventually, my diagnosis in 2005. 

Since being diagnosed 14 years ago, I no longer work in the industry, and I have hung up my apron as a hairdresser and makeup artist. I think the saddest thing for me is my daughter Mikhaila, who is 23, knows more days I have with lupus than my healthier days.

Lupus has greatly affected my life in the fact that I am unable to do the things that I used to be able to do. My lifestyle has totally changed. I went from being the woman who felt like she could do everything, to a woman who must learn to pace herself.

Though living with lupus is a tough learning experience at times, I am fortunate enough to have strong support from others around me. Joining one of the local lupus groups truly helped me in the beginning because I could see that I was not alone. I am now a proud lupus advocate along with becoming a co facilitator of our Gwinnett Lupus Support Group. My goal is to educate others who may not fully understand what lupus is all about or who may be misinformed.

Please join me as I participate in Lupus Foundation of America’s Walk to End Lupus Now™ in Atlanta to raise critical funds for the estimated 55,000 Georgians and families living with lupus. 90% of every dollar donated stays in Georgia to fund Chapter programs, resources and advocacy.

A generous contribution of $5 or $55 can make a definite impact. What’s more, if your employer offers a Matching Gift Program to employees, you may be able to double your contribution!

We all envision a life free of lupus.
Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus. Thank you for your compassion and support!

-Tamie Miller