Knowledge is Power

One of my main goals in starting this blog was to be a valuable source of information not only for my fellow lupies but for those who care for them as well as the public in general.  The more I learn about my illness, the more I am compelled to research the work being done towards not just finding a cure but also what is being done to create awareness, educate people, improve treatments and create a better quality of life for those living with lupus. 

Let’s be honest, most people don’t pay attention to things that don’t directly affect them. So unless you yourself or someone very close to you is affected, most won’t get informed or take action.  This is where we need to start - I believe you have to educate people to know who’s at risk, symptoms to look for, what questions to ask the doctor, know where to look for reliable resources of information, affects that lupus has on the body & mind, learning coping mechanisms, etc.  Since my diagnosis in 2007, I have done all I can to get informed not only about the illness itself but learning about available treatments, how lupus affects each individual differently, current research, ways to get involved, best doctors and creating awareness.  I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and I also believe that is where a lot of people fall short.  We are our own best advocate and supporter!  Don’t just get one opinion, get many!  Don’t settle for an okay doctor, you’re worth the best!  We have a voice, let it be heard!

I’ve visited many websites, blogs, subscribed to many magazines, and joined many groups, all with the sole purpose of becoming both involved and informed.  I’ve signed up for lupus Google alerts that send me information daily basis on anything lupus related so I feel like I’m always in the loop.  This has helped me to find valuable information that I probably would never have come across.  That is why I value the new relationships I have made with fellow lupies because we are each other’s best resource for information & support.  When I began this blog I wanted to be share my experiences but I also wanted to use my blog as a platform for motivation, inspiration, and valuable information.  Each time I find something I believe will be of value I will post it to my blog.  Again I encourage you to send me information that you find important. 

In keeping with that, I invite you to visit The Lupus Magazine.  This website is an AMAZING resource and you wanna know the best part???  It’s written solely by people with lupus!   It has the latest news & events, hottest websites, blogs and organizations out there.  I encourage everyone to check it out!  The writers are great and are amazing at conveying what it’s like to live with lupus. 

In closing, I encourage you all to become your own advocate and educate yourself & others.  Knowledge is so important for increasing awareness & bringing attention to lupus.  It is my hope that very soon, lupus will be “on the map” along with other chronic illnesses and receive the attention, funding and support that it not only needs, but deserves.

Till next time…