Ashley L. - Diagnosed Age 26

I was once making a cake, and the icing didn’t turn out so well. I chose a different recipe and had success. I have lupus, and I’ve tried medications or remedies that didn’t work out, so I tried others. The cake turned out great and I feel I will too.

I can start by telling you about my symptoms but everyone’s are different. But more commonly we are connected by our mental and emotional health that I’ve found my doctors ignore. I’ve found support in my sister who is endlessly researching and my mom who has lupus as well. Luckily, I also have a friend who has lupus too and really turned me from counting my defeats to counting my wins. I might be in the worse pain, but coming home from work to see my happy dogs is a win for me.

Take the time to assess your feelings, meditate only if a few minutes a day, believe in yourself and this life, and find a someone or someone’s who just truly understands. For me I can now laugh at some of my symptoms more and am inspired to see the world as a glass half full instead of drowning in this debilitating illness. No one should have to FEEL alone.

We are motivated to join the walk for lupus this upcoming May, and this is what’s keeping me going...to be a part of a movement to hopefully find a cure and eventually the cause to help those in our world who suffer the same.

“Sometimes when you feel like you’re about to fall, you’re actually ready to fly”. I hope we all release that inner butterfly and really appreciate the reason we are here—to live.