Fitness & Well-Being Spotlight
Lupus survivor Mildretta C. Williams dresses a mannequin — as well as herself — in purple to bring awareness to World Lupus Day on May 10. (News-Journal/Nigel Cook)
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body, according to the Lupus Foundation of America.
Autoimmune means the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign invaders and the body’s healthy tissues. So it creates auto-antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue.
Facts
NAME: Mildretta C. Williams
AGE: 47
RESIDENCE: Daytona Beach
OCCUPATION: Office assistant, community health worker
These auto-antibodies cause inflammation, pain and damage in various parts of the body, according to the Lupus Foundation.
Lupus mostly affects women of childbearing age, but men and children can develop lupus, too. It is also more likely to affect African-Americans than whites.
Mildretta C. Williams has lived with the condition for about 15 years.
With World Lupus Day happening May 10, Williams spoke to The News-Journal about living with the disease.
What are your symptoms?
I’ve had the facial rash, my legs have been very swollen.
Lupus is a disease of flare-ups. Are there times when the symptoms worsen?
It’s challenging. If it’s raining or cold, you don’t have such a good day. There are medicines that keep it stable. I go to a rheumatologist.
Can you do the things you want to do?
I’m 47 going on 48. I have been a survivor for at least 15 years. You can live with it.
You’re not supposed to be in the sun (40-70 percent of people with lupus will find that their disease is made worse by exposure to ultraviolet rays), but that’s just life. I’m going to have my swim suit this summer.
You have to keep moving. You don’t want to be in the sun too much. You use sun screen. You can lead a normal life.
You need to have positive influences from friends, family and God.
Are you optimistic for the future?
I think there will definitely be a cure (in the next 20 to 30 years). I’m hopeful.
Anything else?
World Lupus Day falls on the same day as Mother’s Day. So I want to give a shout-out to my mom as well.
Fitness & Well-being Spotlight is a weekly feature profiling area residents who have made healthy habits a priority in their lives, or those dedicated to helping others make healthy lifestyle changes. If you would like to nominate someone for a profile, email jim.haug@news-jrnl.com.
Por Jim Haug
24 de Abril de 2015 - 11:55 a.m.
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