I often try to understand what life is like for my best friend Katie of 21 years. She is living with the autoimmune disease, Lupus, but looks like any healthy 23 year old.

Before she was diagnosed, I had no idea or had even heard of Lupus, which is crazy because according the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), 1.5-2 million Americans have a form of lupus, and more than 90% of those people are women. And although epidemiological data on lupus is limited, studies suggest that more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year!

Lupus is a complicated illness that affects people differently. Autoimmune diseases pretty much turn bacteria fighting cells, called antibodies, against you and can affect various parts of the body, such as your organs, skin, joints, and brain. Bottom line is that I realized having Lupus is really horrible since there is no cure and treatment and diagnosis are tricky since it is different in everyone.

(This is Katie and me last summer)

I have asked Katie what is like having this illness and she has never been able to give an answer I truly understood. I recently came across “The Spoon Theory” developed by another Lupus patient, Christine Donato. It’s her story of how she explained to her best friend what life is like for her living with this disease.

After reading her story, I think I finally understand my own friend’s suffering. It is a day-to-day struggle that they constantly have to think about. They have to spend their energy wisely and listen to their bodies all the time.

Check out The Spoon Theory and Christine’s site www.butyoudontlooksick.com to better understand what life with Lupus and other autoimmune diseases is like.

Also, check out more people raising money online for lupus as well as ways to help: http://www.firstgiving.com/design/1/raisemoneytofightlupus.asp