THE 10TH ANNUAL FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES
Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is a lupus awareness campaign sharing stories of the brave lupus warriors. Many don’t understand lupus until they hear the walk of a warrior. Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is dedicated to sharing those stories in May for lupus awareness month.
Flight of the Butterfly Kiersten Leroy
Hello my beautiful sunflowers! My name is Kiersten. I was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 17. I had a painful lump under my arm and my body felt weak. After many test and transferring from 4 different hospitals I was diagnosed with Lupus. Over these past 10 years living with Lupus, it is has been a crazy journey. From having my son prematurely ,to having a total hip replacement , to having 2 strokes and being hospitalized for nearly 3 months just under the age of 24. I wouldn’t say I faced depression, but I was close to it. 2017 was where my life changed.
I was in the hospital almost every week. To the point all the staff knew me and I had my special room. I was a 23 year what was about to have 2 strokes. I would have to learn to live normally again. I couldn’t drive, think, read (this is the first time I’m saying this…. I couldn’t read and I was scared to tell anyone. This words didn’t make sense to me.) I was confused and lost. I became even more insecure because I was 112 pounds and lost most of my hair. For the first time I felt defeated. I hated having Lupus. I didn’t understand, why me? This couldn’t be my life.
My support system is what saved me. My family, close friends and my social media friends made me feel human again. I been hospitalized for so long, I forgot how to be social until one my friends told me “you have friends you have family that want to help, but we can’t if you don’t talk.” After that I took back my social media and started vlogging. I was beyond grateful to all the love and support I received. I got support from strangers that now I call my friends.
I can go on and on with all the negative things that lupus has brought to my life. But I am not. It has brought some positivity to my life. I am forced to maintain a good lifestyle, stay stress-free, and be grateful because my condition could be far worse. Yes, sometimes the Lupus wins, especially during a flare up. Yes, I still feel alone because no one will ever understand what I go through. Yes, I breakdown from time to time. Yes, I am strong enough to overcome everything Lupus brought me and what it is going to continue to bring. Yes, I have Lupus.
Lupus In Color is excited to present Kiersten’s story to the world. As a Lupus Warrior she is actively promoting lupus awareness and wearing the armor of strength in doing so.
Lupus In Color Salutes Kiersten. YOU ARE BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, AMAZING and STRONG!
YOUR BUTTERFLY WINGS ARE FLUTTERING, YOUR CHIN IS UP, YOUR ARMS ARE EXTENDED AND YOUR CHEST IS OUT! FLY ON BUTTERFLY!
FLY ON!
PLEASE SHARE Kiersten Leroy ’s FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#LupusInColor #ButterfliesofHope #FlightoftheButterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #SpreadLupusAwareness #LupusWarriorStories
