Kelli C. - Diagnosed Age 19

Lupus is a rollercoaster that I will never get off. I grew up fast, I’ve dealt with issues most 33 year olds can’t even imagine, and every day is a blessing.

I first became sick when I was 15, I went from an active, healthy young person, to a sick person almost overnight. From there, my life was never the same. What started as numbness and tingling in my fingers eventually turned into intense pain, fevers, low blood cell counts, and depression as we figured out what was going on in my body. Soon we would learn that my entire body was filled with blood clots and to say that I’m lucky to be alive is an understatement. Since my first flare I have continued to spend time in the hospital, struggled with several more blood clots, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, miscarriages, etc.

Even though my life is sometimes difficult and unpredictable, I do my very best to take advantage of those days when I feel “normal.” I work hard to be healthy and happy and in the end I wouldn’t change anything. I have an amazing family and the best friends. I teach first grade, even though I sometimes struggle to keep up, and my husband and puppy are my rocks. Lupus is not a blessing, but the love and support I receive from the people in my life are unbelievable and I hope they know how much that means to me!