NYC Lupus Walk Ambassador Stephanie Patti's Advice on Strength and Resilience

Stephanie Patti's Lupus Diagnosis and Journey

• 📌 Diagnosed in August 2016, Stephanie Patti, a cross-country coach and marathon runner, shares her experience with lupus.
• 💡 Lupus has taught her the power of strength and resilience, emphasizing that the disease does not have to define or control her life.

Misconceptions About Lupus

• 💬 A major misconception is that if someone "doesn't look sick," they cannot be ill.
• ⚠️ Patti highlights that lupus can be painful, exhausting, and unpredictable, causing internal organ damage and chronic pain that is not always visible.

Seeking Support and Community

• 🤝 Patti advises those battling lupus to never give up and to remember they are not alone.
• 🫂 Her work with the Lupus Research Alliance revealed the crucial importance of community and support, especially during difficult emotional times.

Managing Lupus and Future Goals

• 💊 Through a "cocktail of medications" prescribed by her doctor, Patti is able to keep her lupus symptoms quiet.
• 🏃‍♀️ She remains committed to her goal of running a marathon in all 50 states, demonstrating hope and determination.
• 🧩 The speaker notes that each case of lupus is unique and presents a complex puzzle to manage.