We're Walking to Beat Lupus, and We Hope that You will Join Us!
Bienvenue! Welcome to my Walk to End Lupus Now Personal Page.
I have always had an amazing team of supportive family members and friends. They are filled with fun, love, and kind words, and they make me feel filled with sunshine and laughter. In 2017, their support shined brightest.
First, in February 2017, I said "I do" to Abe. In true Louisiana-style, we started our life as man and wife surrounded by our dearest friends and family members. We celebrated, we danced, we laughed. As a newlywed, I could not wait to begin our adventures together.
Then, starting in March, my once non-stop energy and pizazz started to dwindle. I went from running marathons to barely making in up the subway steps. Every painful step of the way, I had Abe encouraging me that it would get better. I had my sweet family and friends sending me notes of encouragement and lifting me up in prayer. And thankfully, I had a doctor who believed in my mysterious deluge of pain.
In July 2017, as we gathered for our Family Reunion, I received confirmation: I have Lupus.
Since that time, my journey with lupus has been a whirlwind of acute conditions and chronic symptoms. I have been blessed with the support of amazing loved ones, an accomodating employer, and compassionate, innovative doctors. Today, I am determined to BEAT THAT.
I am still working through what my life means/feels like/looks like as a Lupus Warrior. While I work through my new normal, I am still blessed to be surrounded by my husband, my family, my friends, my doctors, my students, and my colleagues as they cheer me on.
And now I am blessed with a beautiful, radiant, amazing daughter to remind me that beating the odds and achieving dreams can be possible. Josephine Lee Marie the butterfly that landed in the chaos of a storm, and she and Abe are slways there to support me.
I hope that you will join me, Abe, JoJo, and our Team Walk Dat, Beat Dat! as we Walk to End Lupus Now on the morning of Saturday, October 8th. We would welcome you to join us through your physical presence, words of encouragement, or financial support. Every little bit counts. It's our fifth year showing lupus that we've got a team of across the country showing lupus who's dat.
Through the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), I have found a new network of information, people, and lifestyle advice.
And now, I am also honored to serve as a Director on the Board of the Lupus Foundation of North Carolina.
LFA is helping me and the other 1.5 million Americans living with Lupus THRIVE.
Did you know?
- Lupus primarily hits women at the prime of their lives.
- Lupus is a mysterious and misunderstood autoimmune disease. It strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.
- Lupus symptoms can be severe and highly unpredictable and can damage any organ or tissue, from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys.
- While lupus can strike anyone at any time, 90% of people living with lupus are women.
- Only a few drugs have ever been developed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat the disease (and I'm hoping one will help me!).
Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus.
Merci Beaucoup! Thank you very much for your generosity. With your pledge to walk on the morning of October 8th, 2022, expect a Happy-gram from the Schewel girls--and Abe! : )
Who Dat? You Dat!
With Gratitude,
Lauren Lee
