Real life isn’t always pretty. As much as I want to smile and say “I’m fine” that is not my reality, or the reality of so many. I have been bravely battling several rare diseases, including Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Anti-GAD 65 and other autoimmune diseases. Each day, I deal with chronic pain, fatigue, spasms and the fluctuating symptoms that are part of my conditions. Despite the immense physical and emotional challenges, I remain resilient, facing the uncertainty of what each day holds. It is often called the invisible illness because on the outside people may see me as looking “good”, but they have no idea what I had to deal what, or after they see me. As I share in my book, “Skip the Pain, Experience the Pleasure” my journey wasn’t always easy but it is marked by a relentless determination. I am passionate about being an advocate for awareness, and inspire others that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit has the power to shine brightly and inspire others to keep fighting, and to never give up hope, and remember you’re not alone.