THE 12TH ANNUAL FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES

Butterfly Flight Fernanda Pimenta M. Vasconcelas

Here are 29 years with a closed diagnosis of Lupus, since 05/11/95, the month of Awareness of the disease and my birthday, 05/24, 13 days before turning 14, it was during puberty. At that time, it was difficult to imagine such a young girl having such a rare autoimmune disease that was difficult to access, control and receive information about.

Knowledge for lay people was very scarce and even for doctors here in Brazil, when an unsuspecting person saw Lupus, their eyes widened, they were scared and they looked with pity.

For these and other reasons I did not agree with this new stage, I was reluctant to accept it, I was ashamed and did not understand why I was going through certain conditions: acute joint pain, spots on the skin, especially on the face, being deprived of the sun, fatigue, restrictions and more restrictions due to treatment, hair loss, use of corticosteroids that changed my body and my routine.

As time passed, I understood that accepting myself and taking care of myself despite everything, including prejudice, was the best thing for me and it remains that way to this day. I never hid behind the diagnosis, on the contrary, I emphasize it for my well-being and try in some way to help the people who come to me.

When I wore a blouse with Lúpica written on it, many people asked me what it was and they answered in a very simple way so that it was understood.

To have space we need to show ourselves and fight for information to reach us and to pursue our rights!

Our pain matters, so does our peace, we are not mimimi (Emotional or childish) we are people!

#lupusincolor #butterfliesofhope #flightofthebutterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #spreadinglupusawareness #onebutterflyatatime #flyonbutterfly