Hello! My name is Chloe. I am an 18-year old Sjogie (I'll be 19 when we walk!) and I was diagnosed with Sjogren's when I was 14 or 15. Having experienced the plethora (fancy word) of symptoms that come with this disease has made me passionate about advocating for my health.

A little about my story:

I started having symptoms when I was 13 years old, and it started with a headache that would not go away. I would go into more detail about my diagnosis journey, but I like to focus more on how the disease has impacted my life. The headaches were very quickly joined by fatigue, and then I was told by my eye doctor that I had dry eyes (I had no idea because I didn't know how my eyes were supposed to feel!). Before and after my diagnosis, I started having symptoms like digestive problems, joint pain, dryness (EVERYWHERE), and most recently lightheadedness and chest pain. 

My Sjogren's has taken a lot away from me. I did online school during high-school because I was still adapting to my disease. Missing out on the interactions with others was difficult for me. However, I am currently attempting my freshman year in college and am learning to live with my Sjogren's in a more rigorous environment.

I used to do gymnastics, but sadly because of my joint pain and fatigue, I had to give that up when I was 16. Thankfully, I found that dance is better on my symptoms than gymnastics, and I can enjoy exercise in that way!

I have had to accommodate for my health in areas such as my part time jobs, where I have had to reach out to my employers to explain my health and ask for help. And as a college student living away from home, I had to, halfway through my first semester in college, ask for a housing accommodation to live in a single room without a roommate. I have also found keeping up with my peers to be quite difficult and draining. 

However, every success I have in advocating for myself and my health gives me more passion for Sjogren's Disease. I want to help my fellow Sjogies manage their symptoms and stand up for themselves. And not only this, but remind us that sometimes we gotta call BS and do things when we don't feel well anyways. 

The Sjogren's Foundation is working hard to bring awareness to Sjogren's in medical fields and to the general public, and I want to help support that. If you feel the urge to, you can donate to my page or to my team "Team Too Many Symptoms." You can also join my team if you want to walk with me in Madison this summer! 

Thank you in advance for your support, and God bless!