Having an Autoimmune Disease may seem isolating. But it doesn’t have to be. I’ve compiled 10 stories of hope from women with Autoimmune Disease. These are 10 women who have taken their struggles and turned their mess into their message. You are not alone.
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As a blogger who happens to have an Autoimmune Disease (and blog about Autoimmune Disease), I love to connect with others. So I reached out to some of my favorite bloggers to share their stories of hope. I’m always in awe at women who put it ALL out there. Their struggles, their failures, their frustrations… living with a chronic condition can be a nightmare. Especially when you are first diagnosed.
But there is hope.
One common thread across many of these stories is just that.
Hope.
Stories of hope.
Many of these women turned to healthier diets and lifestyle changes.
Many of these women were so moved by their transformation that they created blogs to help others.
We all have different stories.
We all have different journeys.
We are all in different places on those journeys.
But there is a common thread that unites us and that is surviving and thriving with Autoimmune Disease.
Here are 10 inspirational and encouraging stories of hope to get you started.
10 Stories of Hope with Autoimmune Disease
Crohn’s Disease – Tiffany
I’ve had Crohn’s Disease for 10 years. Shortly after I was married, it flared uncontrollably for years. In that time, I’ve seen dozens of people grapple with a chronic illness diagnosis. The only way to make it through unscathed is by processing the 5 stages of grief – mourning the death of your healthy self, and gain a better understanding of yourself through the process.
I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the things I have learned in this journey. My testimony has been strengthened in ways that I never could have dreamed of.”
READ: 5 Stages of Grief with a Chronic Illness Diagnosis by Tiffany at Saving Talents
Ulcerative Colitis – Rhian
My diagnosis with Ulcerative Colitis (an autoimmune disease) led me to explore dietary changes. Because of this, I started my food blog as I hoped to share my recipes with others in a similar situation! My goal is to create recipes that fit a wide range of dietary requirements for those with food allergies and intolerances.
I started my blog because I wanted to banish the feelings of overwhelm, frustration, and isolation that come with leading an alternative diet, and wanted to create a community where those people could feel at home.
READ: Why I Started Rhian’s Recipes by Rhian at Rhian’s Recipes
Type 1 Diabetes – Christel
I have Type 1 diabetes. It’s an autoimmune condition that affects less than 1 percent of the world’s population and can be diagnosed at any age. Getting type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with lifestyle or diet and, to date, there is no cure and we don’t know why some people develop it. There are decent treatment options though, and the majority of people with type 1 diabetes can now live long and relatively normal lives.
The diagnosis was scary, but for me, it wasn’t so much the diagnosis, the needles, or the blood sugar testing that bothered me. It was more the uncertainty about whether I could still do all the things I had planned to do with my life. Luckily, all my experiences so far have taught me that there is (almost) nothing you can’t do with diabetes!
READ: There Is Nothing You Can’t Do with Diabetes – My Story by Christel at Diabetes Strong
Hidradentitis Suppurativa – Cristina
This is the whole story of my healing journey, from childhood obesity to living with an autoimmune disease as a teenager. And also how AIP and Keto helped me reach my goals.
I focused more on self-love, on acceptance. Then making changes to my diet, to tweak as needed to feel my best didn’t seem like this great trauma or sacrifice. The changes I was making registered as my new lifestyle, as gifts to myself, as a celebration of delicious nourishing foods and healing my body. I want to share my story, to tell you how AIP and Keto, and self-love changed my life forever in hopes that it might inspire or motivate you.
Thyroid – Kelly
I was eating the right things, or at least what I thought was right at the time (sorry I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, I had bad info!), but my health was still suffering. I was exercising and socializing, but my energy was low, my thyroid was off, my hormones were out of balance, and my adrenals were shot.
To regain my health, I learned it took a combination of practices to bring myself back into balance. Your health affects your energy, just like your relationships and stress levels do. So when you can optimize these key areas, you have a better shot of stepping into a balanced healthy life.
READ: 5 Essentials for Balanced Healthy Living by Kelly at Tasting Page
Hypothyroidism – Olga
A holistic approach to life, equilibrium of the mind, body, and the environment are essential if you want results. This is the reason I wanted to share some ideas, tips, and experiences that might help you improve your life’s quality especially if you are going through similar situations. If we get down to the root cause and the true source of these symptoms then we can really begin to tackle the problem and recover.
Hypophosphatasia (HPP) – Flossie
When I wrote this post several years ago about not being able to trust my body, we still hadn’t pinpointed the cause of all the random, seemingly-connected-but-discrete health issues I’d had over my life, and at that point, everything pointed – as it had for decades – to an autoimmune disorder. It turned out to actually be a critical enzyme deficiency due to a rare genetic mutation [HPP], but I only learned that a few years later after more freak “accidents” and surgeries.
My girls have shown how amazingly resilient and adaptable human beings can be, and they’ve worked hard to help care for me, just as I usually care for them. And if that isn’t a measure of a successful summer of parenting, then I don’t know what is.
READ: Parenting While Disabled – My Latest Attempt by Flossie at Super Mom Hacks
Vitiligo – Alli
I have various autoimmune disorders, but Vitiligo seems to be the one that is discussed the least and hides in the dark corners. We are starting to see it more in modern society and media, but it is a tough one for your mind and heart. Here’s the beginning of my story.
Am I the same person that I was the day before I found my first spot? No, I’m not. I have been far stronger than I ever thought possible. I learned that people care a lot less about what you look like than you think they do. Life with Vitiligo moves you into a place of the unknown because you have no control over it. It will do what it does and you are along for the (hopefully) very long ride. But it doesn’t have to control you.
READ: Getting the Vitiligo Diagnosis by Alli at Dancing Through the Rain
Thyroid Cancer – Sadie
Though I knew I had thyroid “issues”, I had no idea I had thyroid cancer. I thought getting the cancer removed was the answer to all of my problems. Little did I know, it was just the beginning. [**NOTE – article contains adult language**]
I fight through and I focus on the good hours. I focus on trying to feel better. I try to remember the good times, before thyroid cancer, hoping I will see those days again.
READ: Thyroidectomy H*ll – Life After Thyroid Cancer by Sadie at Sadie Smiley
IBD – Marya
Many people who have IBD are in a dark place. It’s an overwhelming set of circumstances and mental health help is NOT offered by medical professionals. Likewise, people in recovery struggle with some form of depression and anxiety. Getting a life-altering diagnosis like IBD is traumatic and mind-blowing. I’m really grateful to be sober and don’t miss my old life at all. But I do struggle with all that’s on my plate.
Our family has a lot of challenges on our plate but I am determined to live life to the fullest and find joy in each day no matter what my pain levels might be. I believe that faith and natural health are key to living victoriously with the challenges in my life. My mission is to share my faith, experience, strength, and hope with moms with chronic illness, special needs moms, and sober moms. (I’m all three!)
READ: How Sobriety Helps Me Cope with IBD and Mental Health by Marya at Chronic Mom Life
Are you Inspired?
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Love, hugs, and loving my sisterhood.
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