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Autoimmune Chapters: A New Way to Understand Life with Chronic Illness

Interactive medication scene from Autoimmune Chapters
Interactive Experience

Experience Autoimmune Chapters

Spend a few minutes in someone else’s shoes and see how the small choices we make when speaking to and supporting someone with autoimmune or chronic illness make all the difference.

Begin the Journey →

High school student Sofie Duan has created Autoimmune Chapters, a free, ad-free interactive website designed to build greater understanding of the day-to-day realities of living with autoimmune and chronic disease.

Inspired by her own experience navigating suspected Behçet’s disease, Duan developed a story-driven experience that places visitors in the role of a caregiver supporting a fictional person with chronic illness. Throughout the approximately 10-minute journey, visitors make choices about how to respond as the story unfolds, while visuals, dialogue, soundscapes, and an interactive happiness meter illustrate how seemingly small moments can affect someone managing symptoms that others may not see.

As visitors move through the story, the experience highlights how much of chronic illness can remain invisible to others and how everyday interactions can affect someone already managing symptoms such as fatigue and pain. The project encourages visitors to consider what empathy and meaningful support can look like in those moments.

Share Your Story

Your experience can help someone else feel seen.
Personal stories can build understanding, raise awareness, and remind others living with autoimmune or chronic illness that they aren’t alone. If you’re interested in sharing your experience, GAI offers prompts, writing tips, and the opportunity to submit your story for publication.

Learn More

Continue learning about the lived experience of autoimmune and chronic disease and how we can better support the people in our lives.

Supporting Others How to Support Someone with Autoimmune or Chronic Disease Practical guidance on listening, respecting boundaries, offering meaningful help, and avoiding common mistakes when supporting someone with chronic illness.
Living with Chronic Illness Finding Purpose and Fulfillment with Autoimmune and Chronic Disease Expert insights on rebuilding identity, setting realistic goals, managing energy, and finding meaningful ways to work, create, volunteer, or support others.
Communication What Not to Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness A practical look at common comments that can feel dismissive or invalidating, along with more supportive ways to respond.