Advocate

For the past few years, as I have tried to find my way along this journey of chronic illness, there is a word I have fallen in love with: advocate. Both a verb and a noun.

As I deal with the struggles of living with lupus, including dealing with insurance companies and hospital billing departments, amazing doctors and some not quite so amazing...

I have become passionate about being an advocate for others. Those who live with chronic illnesses need advocates so they can get the care they need. But if they are able, they shouldn't leave the job of advocacy completely in the hands of other people. They should be advocates for themselves.

I need to be my biggest advocate.

I need to...

- Be as informed about lupus as I possibly can...And this includes finding credible resources and not believing everything I read on the Internet.

- Tell my doctors everything they need to know—such as any new symptoms I'm experiencing—so they can provide the appropriate healthcare.

- Deal with difficult people who are part of the healthcare system that may or may not care about my situation. (I've even had some that have refused to believe I have lupus!)

Of course, we will still need the help of other people. We can't do it all on our own. But don't forget that your voice is important, too!