In 2016, I was diagnosed with Sjögren’s — an autoimmune disease that, for a long time, I didn’t fully understand or even want to acknowledge. My journey began with childhood eczema and unexplained joint pain in my teens. It wasn’t until my best friend, who has lupus, encouraged me to get tested that I received a positive ANA result and started looking for answers.

Like many, my path to finding the right care wasn’t easy. It took years, several doctors, and the added difficulty of navigating the pandemic before I found support through Dr. Chadwick Johr at Penn. Thanks to his care, I now feel confident and seen — and I’m finally ready to share my diagnosis openly.

I created this page to support the Sjögren’s Foundation because awareness is everything. Too many people struggle in silence or wait years for answers. By sharing our stories and standing together, we can bring attention to autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s and build a stronger, more informed community.

Thank you for being here. Your support makes a difference.