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My name is Dakota. I am 22 and I was diagnosed with SLE when I was 16. When I was 20 I stopped responding well to Plaquenil and I have been trying different treatments ever since. I am in my first year of law school and it has been a nightmare, but I refuse to let lupus control my life. I go to class every day in pain, tired, and I have to think twice as hard as my peers to be successful. I even lost most of my hair this year. But this is my dream and I'm not going to let lupus hold me back.
–– Dakota
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I was diagnosed in 2013 at the age of 23. My symptoms started just 6 months after I gave birth to my daughter. I had to be medically retired from the Navy after serving for 4 years. My illness started with the rash and feeling sick. I’ve dealt with blood clots in the leg and lungs, near kidney failure, blood transfusions, and lots of hospital visits. My mom and sister are my heroes; they are always there when I need them. I was worried lupus would ruin my relationship, proud to say I am in love 6 years strong!!
–– Tamiqua
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My name is Kathia, I'm 28 years old, I live in Panama. I have had systemic lupus erythematosus since I was 13 years old. It was difficult at the beginning; I think that today I am in one of my best moments. Only with prednisone, azathioprine and plaquenil. Hair loss and tiredness are two of the things that I have to deal with daily. My lupus at the beginning was very resistant with my skin, and with the joint pains so from the beginning I always received the high doses of corticosteroids. Stay strong lupus warriors!
–– Kathia
