THE 12TH ANNUAL FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES
Flight of the Butterflies 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 is dedicated to sharing those Butterfly of Hope stories in May for lupus awareness month.
Butterfly Flight Lisa Klink
My name is Lisa Klink and I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) in August of 2020 at the age of 31. My grandfather, Carmen, passed from Lupus SLE and Lupus Nephritis in January of 1989.
The hardest part about having Lupus is coming to terms with that fact that you will never be the same person that you were before you were diagnosed.
Living a life that is based on how you feel day to day can be very overwhelming. I often miss the days where I didn’t have to constantly think about how I am using my energy and what needs to be done to avoid flares.
What I have learned on my Lupus journey, first and foremost, is that life is completely unexpected and it is important to enjoy it now to the fullest. When you have Lupus, you will be on a roller coaster of good and bad days. When I wake up and have a good day, I make sure to do something meaningful that brings me joy.
Spending time with my dogs, walking, shopping, and traveling are my favorite activities!
A piece of advice that I have for the newly diagnosed is to constantly remain your best advocate. Always stand up for your beliefs, get those tests and imaging scans done, and make the appointments you deem necessary. When I was first experiencing Lupus symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, and chest/back pain, I was told it was part of my anxiety disorder.
If I had not pushed my doctors for a rheumatology referral along with testing on the AVISE blood test, I may not have received a diagnosis and treatment.
What keeps me strong on my Lupus journey is the hope for a cure. I am an avid reader of Lupus research and treatment findings, and I am extremely encouraged by the advancements in recent medicine. I truly believe in my lifetime, we will find a cure for this disease. As an Ambassador for the Lupus Foundation of America, and I take my role very seriously to spread awareness of the disease and secure funding for more research to develop a cure. I feel fulfilled in my role in helping other Lupus patients and caregivers along this journey.
Lupus In Color is excited to present Lisa Klink’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 you Lisa Klink!
YOU ARE BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, AMAZING and STRONG TO SHARE YOUR STORY.
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 Lisa’s FLIGHT ON YOUR WALL AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#lupusincolor #butterfliesofhope #flightofthebutterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #spreadinglupusawareness #onebutterflyatatime #flyonbutterfly
