Thank You, Selena Gomez

People sharing their struggles and experiences is so important. It lets others they are not alone in their struggle and it can also lead to valuable information to help others.

That is why I am so happy that Selena Gomez has been open with her struggle with Lupus. She first opened up about her battle back in 2015.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which a person’s immune system attacks its own tissues. This causes the person to suffer from fatigue and joint pain.

As a person who has chronic pain, I know what Selena Gomez is going through. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to open up, since the world’s eyes are on her. I’m not famous and I struggle sometimes about opening up about my challenges.

I’m grateful that Selena Gomez decided to open up. It reminded me that I’m not alone in my struggles. Autoimmune disease can affect anyone. It doesn’t care if you are famous or not. Further more, it doesn’t care if you are a young person or an old person.  YOUNG PEOPLE GET SICK TOO.

Her openness reminds me that I need to be open about my struggles in order to help others. If she can be open in front of MILLIONS I can share my story to a few. EVERYONE’S story is IMPORTANT and MATTERS.

Selena also shows that even with a chronic disease one can be successful. She travels the world and works on various projects. Though I am sure it can be difficult at times, she still does it. She still remains strong. I can too. I can live my life and be strong despite my disease.

And Selena has has given a FACE to INVISIBLE DISEASES. Just by looking at Selena Gomez no one would imagine the world of hurt she is in the painful world that millions of others are in. An invisible disease is only felt on the inside. Selena Gomez has open the door to raise awareness about Lupus and other autoimmune, chronic diseases.

I am not my disease. Selena Gomez is not her disease.

So, to Selena: thank you so much for sharing your struggle. I know how hard it is. Thank you for being a voice, and a face, to millions of us who suffer with an invisible disease.

Selena Gomez’s picture caption on Instagram.