My name is Laquanda Sellers. I was born and raised in Lowndes County, AL. I am a mother of two beautiful children (Tyra 12 and Jamar 9), and a 12-year Army Veteran. My Lupus journey is still very new, I was diagnosed with Lupus August 2021. I first realized something wasn't right when every bone joint in my body began to swell. This was the absolute scariest process I have ever endured. Lupus is a silent illness that's not commonly talked about. Systemic Lupus can affect your major organs. My first major Lupus flare occurred in October 2021, I overcame the symptoms and beat it. In January 2022, I began to feel extremely sick, very weak and unable to function. After several doctors appointments and being sent home from the hospital on February 5th, while laying in bed, I had a seizure for the first time. I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, all to find out that prior to the seizure I have been having bilateral strokes on both sides of my brain, which caused the seizures and a blood clot was found on the right side of my brain blocking my blood flow. Talk about scary with the possibility of needing brain surgery. But I am able to tell my story to the world and say I overcame everything doctor's thought I couldn't. My faith is stronger than anything else. I was ashamed to tell my story but now I'm screaming it to the world to raise awareness to others. Lupus is a very serious illness. Listen to your body, do not ignore the signs, do the research. I AM A LUPUS SURVIVOR
