Recovery Story
This is a story about Laura and how she became a woman in recovery. Many people say I look great and I don't look sick. However, the truth is I have invisible illnesses that affect my daily life struggles, triumphs and recovery. What kept me thriving and surviving was the hope and faith I had in a higher power. I battle with invisible illnesses, one is called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and the other Rheumatoid Arthritis. SLE is the most severe type of lupus one can have, which affects the immune system and causes inflammation in the joints, skin, heart and kidney including eyes. As a result, I have limited energy and often would feel fatigued. A great way I describe SLE is that my immune system is always under attack or at war. Since my diagnosis at age seven following a stroke, my loved ones have been overly protective of me and told me that I should not continue school and that I could not become independent because of my invisible illnesses. However, I proved them wron
