Veteran’s Day is a day to officially pause and honor the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. For some veterans, the battles don’t end when their time in the military is over. Living with lupus — an unpredictable and often invisible autoimmune disease — brings new challenges that demand resilience, courage and connection.

For Army veterans Sharlinda Warner and Tameka Chauka, lupus became part of their story during and after their military careers. Rather than face the disease in silence, they chose to channel their experiences into action. Together, they helped launch the Lupus Foundation of America’s Military Lupus Support Group, the first of its kind to specifically support service members, veterans and their families living with lupus.

This Veteran’s Day, their stories highlight why support groups are not only valuable but life-changing.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Both women know how isolating lupus can feel, especially within a military culture that prizes toughness and perseverance.

Diagnosed with lupus in 2012 and unable to complete her last six years of service because of her diagnosis, Sharlinda recalls the mindset she brought with her from service: “In the military you’re taught to suck it up and drive on, show no pain, no weakness. I want to share my story and inspire other military people living with lupus to let them know it’s ok to not be ok. You don’t have to go through this alone. There’s help and support for everyone.”

For Tameka, the group was born from her own journey of navigating lupus as a veteran. She was diagnosed with lupus in 2007, and she had to learn how to balance strength with self-care: “What inspired me to co-start the national Military Lupus Support Group was my own journey of navigating lupus as a veteran. I knew firsthand how isolating it can feel. Helping launch this group means turning my pain into purpose and making sure no one else feels they have to walk this journey alone.”

Together, they recognized that the military community needed a safe place where lupus warriors could connect with people who truly understand both the demands of service and the realities of chronic illness. They saw a need and now dozens of new people in counting have come together to navigate and overcome challenges through this peer-to-peer support network.

Why Support Matters

Lupus is a complex disease that can bring sudden flares of pain, fatigue and other symptoms. Managing it is difficult for anyone, but especially for those in the military or supporting a loved one who serves. Deployments, relocations and unpredictable schedules often interrupt medical care and heighten stress. The unique weight of these challenges makes peer support not just helpful, but essential.

Sharlinda emphasizes the value of having a space created for military families: “If the military lupus member is not communicating with their spouse this causes problems in the home because family members may not always understand what we’re going through. They too can experience distress as they witness their loved one struggling.”

Tameka agrees, adding that the group helps address challenges that many military families face. “This group can be a bridge — offering peer support, advocacy, education, and a place where their experiences are validated.”

At its core, the Military Lupus Support Group reflects the same teamwork and solidarity veterans experienced in service — only now, the mission is resilience and wellness.

As Sharlinda describes it: “Through sharing your stories and experiences, it builds a bond, it builds trust, it helps your mental health, and you know you’re not alone. It provides emotional support. It promotes hope and healing.”

And in Tameka’s words: “In the military community, where bonds run deep, that connection can be a lifeline — reminding you that you’re still part of a mission and a family, even while fighting lupus.”

Building Community, Honoring Service

Since its launch, the Military Lupus Support Group has grown into a trusted space where members can share their experiences, learn about resources and support each other through the ups and downs of life with lupus. Some members attend regularly, while others join when they need a reminder that they are not alone.

For Sharlinda and Tameka, every conversation matters. Even small groups have a profound impact, creating a ripple effect of hope and empowerment.

This November, in recognition of Veteran’s Day, they are leading a special support session to honor veterans navigating lupus. The session will celebrate resilience, uplift stories of strength, and remind veterans that support is always available — anytime, anywhere.

Looking to the future, Tameka hopes the group will grow into something lasting and nationwide: “My hope is that it becomes a long-lasting, national network that not only supports but also advocates for better care and resources for military lupus warriors. I want it to be a place where education, awareness, and empowerment meet a group that uplifts, protects, and helps change the narrative around chronic illness in the military community.”

And as Sharlinda reflects: “My hope is that this group will make a difference providing a safe place for all military personnel to gather. Our military men and women are a little different from civilians, it takes some of us a little longer to open up and express our feelings. So my hope is that the support group will expand, and once more service members are aware of the group and know it's facilitated by military personnel with lupus, this will make them get more involved.”

This Veteran’s Day

Veterans living with lupus remind us that service comes in many forms. Through their leadership, Sharlinda and Tameka have created a community that not only honors their military bonds but also addresses the realities of life with lupus.

This Veteran’s Day, we honor veterans like Sharlinda and Tameka — warriors in uniform and in life — who remind us that true strength isn’t just about pushing through pain, but about standing together in support and solidarity.

Learn more about the Military Lupus Support Group and how to join upcoming sessions.

Authored by:
April Fuller

This blog post and the lupus resources found on the National Resource Center on Lupus are, in part, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under Cooperative Agreement Number NU58 DP006139. The contents are solely the responsibility of the developers. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

This blog post is for educational and information purposes only. Consult with your doctor/health care team for medical advice.