While the most recent statistics tell us that autoimmune disease affects at least 14.7 to 23.5 million Americans, research indicates that the numbers have been growing steadily for years. The unifying link between these 80-100 diseases and counting, is the immune system’s inability to differentiate between self and non-self, resulting in systemic or organ-specific attacks.
No one case of autoimmunity is alike, as symptoms overlap and vary widely even within a particular disease, such as celiac, lupus, or ulcerative colitis. On top of this, there are many individuals with autoimmune-like symptoms who are unable to secure a diagnosis.
EACH STORY SERVES AS A WINDOW INTO THE COMPLEXITIES OF LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS
People may feel unseen and unheard both in their social lives and in the medical world. It is our hope for these stories to cushion the loneliness often felt by people with autoimmune disease, and to give caregivers and loved ones valuable insight into what they may be going through. Let your story be heard!
In her story, Anna opens up about her life with a painful, undiagnosed digestive disease. Her experiences range from feeling the agonizing loss of everything that chronic illness has taken from her to her endless determination to find answers about her health. Anna’s story reminds us that everyone’s experience is valid and that hope is always worth holding on to.
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When Monwabisi began to develop signs of vitiligo, he realized that he needed to go beyond his small town for help. Read about Monwabisi’s journey to being diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases and learning to embrace his “perfect imperfections”!
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At first, I thought I should write a philosophical article about the sense and nonsense of my disease. But then I decided to write about my life, how I found a diagnosis, and how I deal with it.
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When diagnosis is delayed, suffering is prolonged. Left untreated, disease worsens, new symptoms and conditions pile up, and healing becomes more difficult.
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