Yesterday I met with two incredibly inspirational women, Mary and Ita. Both vibrantly welcomed me with warm stories about their multifaceted lives surrounding family, career, travel and study. However something sets these women apart from the other local coffee sippers we sit amongst . They are both living with Lupus.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. For others, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems.
Lupus Melbourne is a growing network dedicated to supporting those with lupus and other autoimmune disease.
At Lupus
- We believe that while we live with lupus and/or related autoimmune or chronic illnesses, we are contributing members of the community who are not defined by lupus or the status of “patient” or “sufferer”.
- We will actively support one another to live positive, healthy, fruitful and interesting lives.
- We will work in partnership with others, e.g. family, friends, colleagues, health and wellness professionals and community groups
- To reach out to the people in the community with Lupus and/or related autoimmune or chronic illnesses, listen to their stories and invite them and their families and friends to join with us as we learn together about living well with chronic illness.
- To build teams of people with lupus and related autoimmune or chronic illnesses who are committed to actively supporting one another to live positive, healthy, fruitful and interesting lives.
- To support, educate and/or advocate for people with Lupus, their families, careers, support networks and employers.
- To increase the understanding of Lupus in the Northern, Western and Central Suburbs of Melbourne.
- To share information and establish cooperative connections with health and wellness professionals, community support networks, government agencies and peak bodies.
- To maintain local, national and international connections within the wider Lupus Community
YouthCom. is proud to support the work and values of Lupus Melbourne
Meetings are held on the last Saturday of every month in Moonee Ponds. For more details please visit http://lupusmelbourne.org.au/
