LIVING WITH LUPUS | Jodie Nimigon-Young
Hi fabulous lupies!
My name is Jodie Nimigon-Young and I have been a fellow lupus warrior for 29 years. Throughout my journey I have been involved locally, provincially and nationally – no matter if life brought me from Durham, to Ottawa, to Montreal or to Toronto. At one point I was the youth advocate with LC; I was involved with several interrations of a youth newsletter as well; and even assisted in organizing some national conferences. All this involvement lead to my co-authoring Fabulupus (the book for youth, by youth with lupus). The book addresses all those burning questions and key areas of living well with lupus (or any chronic condition) – such as relationships, education, employment and travel. It was a true labour of love, taking us nearly 8 years of writing and editing; at the time it was the only book of it’s kind. Since it’s publication, social media has exploded and has become the more apt go-to source for information and support.
Although living with lupus has brought struggles, I prefer to focus on the opportunities. I was diagnosed at age 13, and still have some wonderful friendships from my adolescence. I pursued not one, but 3 university degrees and am now employed as a health-care social worker. I have not only attended conferences, but spoken at conferences – and, in fact, will be presenting at the international “Lupus 21st century” conference in Naples, Florida later in September.
My career at the hospital has lead me to a role where I facilitate stress management groups with patients. This opportunity has rejuvenated my intrigue in mindfulness and I am now pursuing ongoing education in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Interestingly, it was when I was 13 years old, and being followed at Sick Kids that mindful exercises were suggested as a means to help improve my sleep. Life is fascinating, however, some doors keep opening – as if it was always meant to be.
I am so incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by supportive and loving individuals, including my spouse and children; parents and sister; numerous other family members; friends who are like family; and the entire lupus community.
Fabulupus handles:
Facebook: Fabulupus: How to be young, successful and fabulous, with lupus
Insta: Fabulupus.book
@fabulupus