Five years ago, I fell suddenly ill with a disease doctors could not diagnose. Left without any access to treatment or care, I became bedridden. I learned that my disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), has been ignored by medicine for decades. Like a growing epidemic of autoimmune disease, ME has not received adequate attention in part, I believe, because it disproportionately impacts women. I also learned that whatever we are grappling with, we face an added stigma when our neighbors, our doctors, and even our loved ones cannot perceive our disabilities from the outside.

I believe that together, we can change this. Help me fight for equality for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and raise awareness for autoimmune disease and invisible illnesses.