Just a quick note from our founder this New Year’s eve…
Hi LupusChicks (and Lupus Dudes!)… 2019 has been quite a year. LupusChick’s website, social, and new YouTube channel continues to reach about a half million people per month, which is amazing and still blows my mind. See, if you don’t know, I started LupusChick over 10 years ago as a small blog. The design was hideous, to say the least, and I didn’t even know if anyone would read it. Little by little, with hope and prayers, it grew!
And here we are! Just this past year, I signed with Fortress Press on a book deal – and my memoir will be published in about a year or so. To me, this was a huge event, as the book openly discusses lupus and will be distributed on a major scale. That means – more people will hear about lupus! That has always been my goal – to educate and get lupus out there to everyone. Only through education, will the stigma of chronic illness and invisible illness be lessened. This past year, we also had the amazing opportunity to team up with Janssen/Johnson and Johnson and create our YouTube channel.
I want you to know that in 2020, LupusChick will once again be rebranded to fit our evolving needs. There will also be more videos, interviews, and giveaways. Our scholarship will also be returning! I really took this past year to have some quiet time after my dad passed away, and worked mostly on the book, in addition to tending to my own health issues.
Thank you to everyone who has continued to support us. I can’t wait to share with you all of the new and exciting things we have coming up this next year.
My prayer is for our health to continue improving and for us to keep leading dynamic, purpose-driven lives. Happy New Year!
Love to you all,
Marisa
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
Marisa I read your story; it was inspiring!
Just wanted to say how amazing you are, and what a wonderful role for young women you have become. I wish you and your family all good things, health and joy in the coming year!
How sweet, Jeffrey! Thank you so much for reading today’s story and for stopping by to say hello. I hope you also have a wonderful New Year! – Marisa
I’m so happy to have found you!!! Two years being diagnosed Lupus! I’m finally in a good place and taking my life back!!! So excited to be here on your site!
Thank you for creating this site. It’s a perfect refuge.
Hi Sheri!! So glad you found LupusChick, though I am sorry you too were diagnosed with this illness. I hope you find some hope and great tips here. We also have a very active INsta and FB page – Come join us if you want XOXO Marisa
I have stumbled across the story of your journey somehow and was left shocked… Speechless… Disappointed in the few bitter spoons of lemon it the barrel of honey.. but at the same time uplifted.. Uplifted uplifted uplifted. You are impressive and there is so much more to say but I am sure in these years you’ve heard the most… I am just disturbed.. “Do I need an exceptionally impactful event in my life so I would start” living” ???” Its a scary thought… I’ll find my way. I wish that your life will always be just the way you say it to your doggo – safe… The world can portray itself in so many different colours…
Love, N.
Hi Nick! Thank you so much for your kind message. I definitely don’t think we need an extreme event to start living – maybe just a moment of reflection that our time is so limited here. Even when I get bogged down in “regular” every day stuff, I sometimes forget for a moment and think I will live forever or always have tomorrow. Then I sort of snap out of it and think, what am I waiting for? I need to get out there and do X, Y, and Z. I appreciate you reading the piece and then reaching out. In all the years I waited to share it – for a million reasons – the feedback has been amazing. I hope the rest of your life is incredible and everything you dream it to be! Marisa
Marisa – Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine you would become a ROCK STAR?! Because, totally, you are!!!
Just read your story and–oh, my. My cousin has had Lupus for 40+ years; struck her at 18, when she was a 5-ft tall basketball champ at U Mich. She’s somehow still as energetic & outgoing as ever (though it took some agony to get back up to speed).
I was dx’ed with undifferentiated connective tissue disorder about 15 yrs ago, along with a grab bag of other chronic conditions–ironically, my cousin is far more lively than I.
I’m still finding my balance. So I’ll be interested to become familiar with your blog, and I’ll share the good word with cuz. 😀
Joyous new year!
Leigh
Leigh! That is the sweetest message ever. Thank you so much. I am sorry you have had to struggle with multiple issues/diseases. I get it – I too have a long list and hate when I have to give it to a new provider or ER nurse lol. I am so glad you found the website/blog. Feel free to reach out to me anytime XO Marisa – Marisa@lupuschick.com