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