ORANGEBURG, S.C. — An Orangeburg resident created the Orangeburg Lupus Support Group to create community among people living with lupus.
Audrey Patterson says her journey with lupus started about ten years ago, after she gave birth to her third daughter. A trip to the hospital revealed she had fluid in her lungs, but she wasn't officially diagnosed until one year later in 2014 following a car accident.
“What I thought was whiplash, I just said maybe I got a little whiplash and I’m just hurting from the impact but one day turned into two days, turned into a week, turned into two weeks, turned into three weeks, I’m like why am I still aching from this accident," said Patterson.
Doctors told her the impact of the accident triggered her lupus symptoms. These symptoms include joint pain, rashes, and hair loss. She underwent a series of different medications and treatments as she navigated how to live with the condition.
“I felt like nobody understood what I was going through. I felt like I was in it alone," said Patterson.
It was this feeling of isolation that inspired her to create the Orangeburg Lupus Support Group, bringing together people with the same experiences. They work with experts who give insight on how to live healthy and happy lives amid all the challenges that come with the condition.
“They have a place to go, a space to go to when they’re ready and when they wanna have, be a part of a group of people that get what they’re feeling, what they’re experiencing and they don’t feel like they’re alone anymore," said Patterson.
The group meets once a month and is open to both lupus survivors and their loved ones. Their next meeting is Friday at the Orangeburg County Library at 5:30 p.m.
The group is planning a 'Walk to End Lupus' on May 13. Proceeds will support the Lupus Foundation of America. More information can be found on Facebook.