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!
Claire, who lives with Crohn’s and other conditions, experienced delayed diagnosis that slowed her path to treatment and quality healthcare. 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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Presha, who lives with MCTD, explores the concept of acceptance, as it changed the way she sees her body and her life with chronic illness. When sudden, unexplainable symptoms continued to intensify, Presha knew something was wrong.
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When you’re hit out-of-the-blue with symptoms like fatigue and joint pain, you may feel lost and overwhelmed. Roxanne, who lives with lupus, describes her holistic path to wellness and how mindfulness helps her thrive with chronic illness.
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In chronic illness, we often grieve for the life we once had and the things we love to do that we suddenly cannot do anymore. Savannah’s story of living with Devic’s disease reminds us how we can still find joy and satisfaction in life.
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