Chronic illness has changed nearly every aspect of my life. Since my Sjögren’s diagnosis in November 2025, I’ve struggled with debilitating fatigue, chronic pain, brain fog, nerve damage, and physical limitations that make even simple daily tasks difficult.
I had to stop working, losing not only financial independence but also a part of my identity. I’ve undergone surgeries, faced countless medical appointments, and learned to live with a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
I applied for disability benefits, was denied, and am now fighting that decision with an attorney. Having to prove how sick you are while already struggling is emotionally exhausting.
Perhaps the hardest part is grieving the person I used to be while learning to accept my new reality.
Chronic illness has taken a lot from me, but it hasn’t taken my determination to make a difference.
I advocate because when I received my diagnosis, I felt incredibly alone. I was scared, overwhelmed, and searching for people who understood what I was going through. I never wanted anyone else to feel that way. That’s why I founded Autoimmune Badass. Through social media, community awareness tables, education, and free flare kits that I personally fund, I work to bring comfort, understanding, and support to people living with chronic illnesses.
As a MySjögren’sTeam Ambassador, Chronic Disease Coalition Ambassador, certified Patient Leader, and PAF/NPAF Grassroots Ambassador, I’m committed to making patients’ voices heard. I advocate for those who feel invisible, dismissed, or too exhausted to fight for themselves.
I didn’t choose chronic illness, but I can choose what I do with my experience. I want to be the person I needed when I was first diagnosed.