When
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was established in 1955, children with cystic
fibrosis (CF) rarely lived long enough to attend elementary school. Due in
large part to the CF Foundation's aggressive investments in innovative research
and comprehensive care, many people with the disease can now expect to live
into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
When I was first diagnosed with lupus, 13 years ago, my life had already begun to fall apart. I was having difficulty keeping up with teenage life. I wasn't able to stay up late from the fatigue. My body hurt in ways I couldn't describe. It wasn't until I decided to contact the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Florida Chapter, that my life changed for ever.
The Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Florida Chapter, Inc. has brought new meaning into my life. When I was first diagnosed with lupus, 13 years ago, my life had already begun to fall apart. I was having difficulty keeping up with teenage life. I wasn't able to stay up late from the fatigue. My body hurt in ways I couldn't describe.
I was an instructor in U.S.A. Goju karate and was no longer able to keep up the rigor of my art. At 16, I had a major stroke while I was teaching a class. My life had to change, but, how do you do that? I was going to be an aerospace engineer with NASA, but after several failed attempts to obtain my degree, and several unsuccessful work attempts, I realized I would have to reinvent my life. My saving grace came in the last place I expected to find it, when my husband, my dog and I moved to Lakeland.
I decided to try to contact the chapter and my life changed for ever. Since then, I, along with my mom, have become the facilitator for the Greater Florida Chapter. I have become an e-advocate and have even gone to Washington D.C. to speak to our Congressmen and women and Senators about supporting the plans for research and education for and about lupus. I also had the privilege to speak on behalf of the Lupus Foundation and Community Health Charities. The Greater Florida Chapter has truly given my life new meaning and for that, I am truly grateful.
What a Dollar Buys
$1 provides 10 educational pamphlets to patients
$1 a week provides 2 needy patients with subscriptions to Lupus Now Magazine
$1 a week provides 2 lupus books for our lending library
$5 a week provides a facilitator training workshop
$10 a week provides an expert speaker for a seminar
When
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was established in 1955, children with cystic
fibrosis (CF) rarely lived long enough to attend elementary school. Due in
large part to the CF Foundation's aggressive investments in innovative research
and comprehensive care, many people with the disease can now expect to live
into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
When I was first diagnosed with lupus, 13 years ago, my life had already begun to fall apart. I was having difficulty keeping up with teenage life. I wasn't able to stay up late from the fatigue. My body hurt in ways I couldn't describe. It wasn't until I decided to contact the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Florida Chapter, that my life changed for ever.
The Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Florida Chapter, Inc. has brought new meaning into my life. When I was first diagnosed with lupus, 13 years ago, my life had already begun to fall apart. I was having difficulty keeping up with teenage life. I wasn't able to stay up late from the fatigue. My body hurt in ways I couldn't describe. 
