What World Lupus day & Lupus Awareness Month mean to me

A few weeks ago I shared my story to women who have known me for years. I thought the fact that I had Lupus wouldn't suprise them since I don't hide it. But, it surprised many. I was disappointed in myself for not sharing more about Lupus with others and the more I thought about it the more I realized that I was, but the platform I was using wasn't for everyone and I don't walk around with a billboard announcing it. Instead I use social media. I realize I'm quiet on facebook about it. I use twitter to vent about lupus, and even then I block people who know me in real life. I keep a blog, but would prefer not to know if people I know read it. Why? Because I like to vent. And because I don't want to be defined by this disease. You maybe saying to yourself "but I would never do that", but you do, you just don't know it. Today is World Lupus Day. A day to raise awareness. A day to educate someone who may or may not have had an opportunity in the past to learn what Lupus means. Don't feel sorry for me, that maybe the worse thing you can say. I am not sorry. This is my story, this is a part of me. And today I choose to stand up to Lupus and tell it to back off. Today I choose to raise awareness because the more people that know the better chances of a cure being found in my lifetime! So today I URGE you to share something about Lupus somewhere, somehow. Put it on your facebook status, encourage your friends to particapate in "Put On Purple" next week DO SOMETHING! No more Dr. House jokes, let's get rid of this once and so no one else has to deal with this!