Warrior: Courtney Flowers

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Biography

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​My experience with Lupus has been a journey that has only begun since being diagnosed in 08. I've lost 70% of my hair and developed the butterfly rash on my face. It was very hard to come to terms with the fact that I had an incurable disease that many knew nothing about, including me. I was very tired and swollen all the time due to the Rheumatoid arthritis. Being so young and going through these changes was very hard on me. I would get asked constantly what happened to my face and it killed my self esteem, my family didn't understand what was going on so they didn't know any ways to help me cope with the changes I was going through and I felt very alone . Although my experience with Lupus hasn't been the worse it was life changing. At 17, I had my son and the pregnancy was rough and my son was delivered by emergency c-section a month and two weeks before his due date because my placenta was calcifying and he wasn't getting enough oxygen. The further along in the pregnancy the more complications occured: his heart rate dropped for 3 mins and he had to be delivered immediately he was 3 pounds and stayed in the NICU for a month. At 19, I had my daughter. She had just as many complications as my son and just like him she was having trouble breathing and had to be delivered 2 months before her due date, she also was only 3 pounds. She stayed in the NICU for 2 months, but by the grace of god, they are both two healthy children today. What makes me a fighter is that no matter what Lupus throws at me I'm still able to bounce back and keep moving forward. There are days where I want to give up but after seeing so many people fight harder and harder with this disease makes me want to keep pushing forward. Lupus has changed me into a very strong person. It makes me appreciate everyday that I'm blessed with and every moment in life is special to me. I encourage those who do have Lupus to continue to fight and surround yourself with people who love and care about you. This disease will not win & I will continue to hope for a cure!

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