One of my goals in beginning this blog was to meet new people – not just those living with lupus but anyone who has had some sort of experience with lupus whether it is through a family member, friends, co-workers, etc. Social media has been a great medium for connecting with people and learning just how many people have been affected by lupus! I have made many new friends both near and far who have invited me into their lives to talk, laugh, cry, & vent about the toll that this illness can take on our lives and those we love. Most importantly, we discuss ways to help lupus get the attention it deserves! These people have been such great listeners and so supportive when I feel so alone, going through my worst moments when I feel like nobody really gets it. I’m so grateful to my new friends even though I haven’t met any of them face to face.
I hope to change that very soon as I hope (trying to work around school) to attend a very special upcoming event in Mequon, WI. The program Everyday Health (which appears on your local ABC affiliate Sunday mornings at 11am – watch the episodes here) will be filming a lupus segment at Libby Montana’s restaurant in Mequon, WI beginning at 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 21. My friend Kim & her family will be hosting a fundraiser to coincide with this filming and her daughter, Halee is being interviewed to talk about what it’s like to live with lupus. The event will include a carnival for little kids, volleyball tournament, & lupus bracelets for sale. If you purchase a T-shirt for $15 you will also get a hot dog, chips & a soda. You will also have an opportunity to meet Miss Wheelchair WI 2011 Kristin Larson - another amazing chick living with lupus with a secondary complication of Transverse Myelitis. Through her passion for helping others, Kristin active volunteer and legislative advocate for the Lupus Foundation of America, writing letters of need to Congress to bring awareness and support of medical research for individuals living with the disabling illness Lupus.
I met Kim a few months ago through the Lupus Foundation of America – WI Chapter. She reached out to me after reading my blog (it’s so nice to know its reaching people!) and shared with me how her daughter Halee has lupus. As she shared Halee’s story, my heart went out to her as I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to watch their child go through this. However, Halee isn’t sitting back and letting lupus run her life! Today she is a thriving 15-year-old sophomore in high school that is feeling GREAT! While she can longer play volleyball, she remains involved by managing the JV volleyball team and is a member of her school’s drama club. When she’s feeling good (which Kim said is most of the time) she loves to hip hop dance!
I met Kim a few months ago through the Lupus Foundation of America – WI Chapter. She reached out to me after reading my blog (it’s so nice to know its reaching people!) and shared with me how her daughter Halee has lupus. As she shared Halee’s story, my heart went out to her as I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to watch their child go through this. However, Halee isn’t sitting back and letting lupus run her life! Today she is a thriving 15-year-old sophomore in high school that is feeling GREAT! While she can longer play volleyball, she remains involved by managing the JV volleyball team and is a member of her school’s drama club. When she’s feeling good (which Kim said is most of the time) she loves to hip hop dance!
This event is so important because it is bringing major attention to lupus and putting it out there for everyone to see. Halee & her family have done such a wonderful job in working to bring awareness & funding to lupus. They have succeeded once again by helping to get the topic of lupus featured on this program. I encourage you to attend if you can – heck you could even be on TV :)
Event Details
Halee’s Jubilee
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Event begins at 5:00 pm
Halee’s Jubilee
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Event begins at 5:00 pm
Libby Montana’s Bar
5616 W Donges Bay Rd
Mequon, WI
(262) 242-2232
1 comment:
A wonderful story Janelle! Thank you so much for doing this. I posted your post on my homepage-it is just lovely. I'm so hoping that you can make it WEd night. Make sure you track me down-I think we are going to have a LOT of people!
Post a Comment