Hello friends! It's that time of year again! The 2022 Annual Walk for Lupus is coming up on April 30th, and Ashton’s Angels would like to invite you to join us in the fight.

 My Story

In January of 2017, what I thought was initially a stomach bug, quickly turned more serious when I started having seizures. After over a month in the hospital with no answers, I was diagnosed with Lupus Cerebritis on February 14th, 2017.

I was in a coma and on machine assisted breathing for most of my stay. Then I learned I needed further rehabilitation due to my Traumatic Brain Injury from inflammation. I learned how to walk, talk, and do simple tasks again. I was an accountant, and was doing math at a 5th/6th grade level.

Fast forward two years later, I found the Lupus Foundation, Lone Star Chapter. I finally was able to meet people who really UNDERSTAND what I’m going through, and I felt a sense of community. On Tuesday, May 14th, 2019 I became a member of the Board of Directors, and in 2020 our Board Treasurer for the Lone Star Chapter. I have never felt more at home and truly proud of the work I do here. I finally realized where I was meant to be. LFA has given me my sense of purpose back in life.

When I look back at my time over the past five years, I can’t help but think about how much my life has changed. What was once “normal” is no longer the same. For me, the new “normal” is going to doctor’s visits, keeping up with my medications, and keeping in contact with my doctors because I know there is no longer any other choice for me.

Being diagnosed with Lupus Cerebritis at 24 years old, was something I didn’t ask for. My life has been flipped upside down. Going from a promising career in Public accounting (I was working on my first test to become a CPA when I got sick), to being diagnosed with Lupus Cerebritis.

No one asks to have a chronic illness; however, I believe it's what you make of it that truly matters. My life isn’t where I thought it would be three years ago, but now it’s so much more.

I walk with Lupus every day. I will never be worry-free about my health. It's just not an option. But I do have the option to use my resources to fight.

Will you join me? 

Love,

Ashton