I was diagnosed with dermatomyositis in 2001, just a few months after I had my baby. My life has changed in a good and bad way. I am learning to live life to the fullest as if it was the last day of my life.

At first it was hard, but I have learned to accept this illness. I am twenty-eight years old with a four year old girl who gave me the will to live when I wanted to give up. I lost all my hair in just a few weeks. Then I gained a lot of weight. My face and the skin on my whole body looked like someone who had been buried for two weeks.

I just knew then that my child's father would leave me, but he stood by my side and later became my husband even when I thought I looked like a monster.

Life is very painful for me every day I wake up, but the Lord is on my side so I must have faith.