LA-FINA PHILLIPS LIVING WITH LUPUS | QSM 7
Phillips
WHAT IS LUPUS
Lupus Foundation of AmericaFebruary 24, 2017 Resource Content
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body( skin, joints, and / or organs).” Chronic” means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years.
During that 6-month period I no longer want to pursue modeling or anything in that matter. I only wanted to see the next day. I went completely off the radar. One woman in particular noticed my absence, which was surprising to me I have never met this individual prior to my medical situation. Her name is Andrene Ladydoves Williams, founder and CEO of UBM. Andrene called and sent me messages about twice a week inquiring about my recovery. While doing so she helped convince me to get back to pursuing my dreams in the fashion industry. January 2016 I was back to work as a case manager and I started pursuing my career in fashion; by this time I decided that I no longer wanted to be a model; I wanted to be involved in the creative aspect of it, I wanted to paint the full picture. Knowing I can fall ill at any time I wanted to achieve as much as possible while my body allowed me to. I started volunteering at different shoots as a stylist, my true passion as well as designing and selling clothing from my boutique. Since then I have obtained the position of assistance production / model coordinator for UBM FASHION WEEK2017. I am the cover stylist for Ms. Tawana Blassingame’ s Queen Size Magazine. I am a stylist / creative director for Full Blossom Magazine and creative director for Idare Magazine. I have been published as a model, designer, stylist, and writer all within a year’ s time since being hospitalized. I have good days and I have some bad days but both days I thank God for the blessing of seeing both. Lupus is a battle I refuse to lose. As long as I am able bodied to continue my passion that is exactly what will be done.
In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs(” foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune systems produce proteins called” antibodies” which protect the body from these invaders.
” Autoimmunity” means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’ s healthy tissues(” auto” means” self”). As a result, it creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
Five important facts about lupus that you should know:
• Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot” catch” lupus from someone or” give” lupus to someone.
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• Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
• More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.
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• Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no largescale studies to show the actual number of people in the U. S. living with lupus.
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• Women of color are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
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• People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
WWW. QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE. COM | MAY 2017 ISSUE