LUPUS = Lift Up Persevere Use Strength

<p>In 1989 inexplicably Rachel Lea went from being a quiet but energetic conscientious and healthy fourteen-year-old girl to being incapacitated bedridden and with severe chronic joint and muscle pains. Suffering from a mysterious debilitating disease her struggle to find solutions to her ailment was fraught with distress misdiagnoses and experimental treatments.</p><p>Rachel chronicles her journey from the first appearance of symptoms to a confirmed lupus diagnosis as well as her ability to adjust to life with an incurable chronic disease as a teenager.</p><p>With the loving support system of family that lifted her up Rachel found hope and perspective in achieving her dream of becoming a secondary school teacher. Lupus = Lift Up Persevere and Use Strength is a raw moving and uplifting memoir - essential reading for Lupus Warriors members of their support systems and for those who want to learn more about lupus and a Lupus Warrior's fortitude in living life with courage always trying to find the silver lining.</p><p>I didn't have time to be a moody sullen or ungrateful teenager Rachel says. I had skipped that station. I was fast-tracked to a place where having</p><p>perspective and wisdom were needed if I was to join this army of chemical warfare and be at peace with the uncontrollable changes that had</p><p>happened to me ... I was lucky because for the first time since I had become unwell I was able to take medication that was trying to save my life. I didn't want to let my army down. And so my new life as a Lupus Warrior had truly begun.</p><p><em>LUPUS</em> is part memoir part self-help part guide an invaluable resource for anybody interested in triumph over adversity and finding a way through difficult times.</p>