Hi Superheros! I am Lala, by looking at me you would think I am the average 25 year old, but as you probably know- looks can be deceiving. I live with two severe auto inflammatory diseases that have more control over me than I do over myself. 

At 5 years old after many misdiagnosis and hospitalizations I got diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Familial Mediterranean Fever. I missed over 100 days of school each year in Elementary and Middle school, and lost a lot of friends due to them not understanding my sudden changes in plans. I got verbally bullied so much to the point, I had to switch schools. 

High School was a life changer literally, I barely missed school and my flares started to get less and less. I still would have to cancel on fun plans, I still would be home sick not able to get off the couch or my bed, but I definitely would say I was more healthy than sick. Same with college, I attended a college 45 minutes away from my house, because I had to. I wanted to experience college life yet still had to stay close to home in case I had a bad flare my family, my doctors, and my hospital would be close by. In college I joined a sorority (Alpha Delta Pi!!!) I was finally living a life with my health being manageable until...

My last year of college turned upside down and the life as I knew was not coming back. I got diagnosed with severe Crohns disease. Living with one illness you think thats your story, thats your life, you never expect to get diagnosed with a second. But I did. 

I feel that FMF and Crohns ingrained in me a responsibility to help those who are struggling realize that rainbow days are coming. Yes chronic illnesses are forever however its not all bad days. We WILL have good days. 

Invisibly Sick Lala

~alexis kleinstein