Memphis Lupus Support Group

THIS SATURDAY!!! support group meeting at the East Shelby Library from 10:30am - 12:00pm.

All lupus survivors, supporters, and caregivers are invited.💜

Free of charge and all are welcome!

Lunch will be provided.

For more information email [email protected]

We are excited to announce that our next lupus support group meeting will feature a special guest speaker, Dr. Phylicia Harris! 💜

This will be an incredible opportunity to hear from an expert who will share valuable insights on living with lupus, managing symptoms, and maintaining emotional and physical well-being.

Join us for a meaningful discussion, ask questions, and connect with others in our community.

November 2, 2024, from 10:30am - 12:00pm at the East Shelby Library, 7200 East Shelby Drive, Memphis, TN 38125

We look forward to seeing you there!

The next Lupus Support Group group meeting is SATURDAY, November 2nd, 2024 from 10:30am - 12:00pm at the East Shelby Library (7200 E Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38125)

Please pay attention to the time change, due to lack of availability at the library we had to schedule our meeting earlier in the month and day! So be sure to add it to your calendars.

This event is free, and lunch will be served :)

Feel free to share with family, friends, and on your social media platforms and as always if you have any questions email me at [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you guys November 2nd, 2024!!

Are you a lupus patient struggling with your finances after diagnosis!?!

Our very own lupus survivor has written a guide for anyone living with lupus or other autoimmune conditions looking to reclaim control over their financial future.

This book offers practical tools, actionable steps, and powerful insights for managing your health while building a thriving career or business. It also teaches you how to navigate the unique challenges of chronic illness from unpredictable flareups to energy management all while creative flexible, income strains that align with your well-being.

It’s also filled with motivational stories of resilience ,tips on financial empowerment, strategies that show you how to turn your struggles into a pathway for success.

It’s more than just a book it’s a blueprint for anyone who refuses to let health challenges stand in the way of financial independence.

She's giving away her book for free for just a few of our members but after that promo she's offering an amazing discount for Memphis Lupus Support Group members!

Contact her today to take back control of your finances!💜💜

Autoimmune warriors!!! We have a special treat for you!!

Join us this weekend with Dr. Phylicia Harris discussing ways to find lasting relief and an improved quality of life by using a functional medicine approach.

Dr. Harris will bring her expertise on how to thrive while fighting a debilitating autoimmune disease

For more information and to register you can scan the QR code in the flyer, email [email protected] or call (901)582-5180 and tell them the Memphis Lupus Support Group sent you! 💜

See y'all there!!

Happy Birthday to our fearless leader, the heart and soul of our Memphis Lupus Support Group! 💜

Your unwavering dedication, compassion, and vision inspire us every day. You've been a beacon of hope for countless individuals battling lupus, and your tireless efforts have brought us closer to a world where no one faces this journey alone.

Today, we celebrate not just your special day, but also the impact you've made on so many lives. Here's to many more years of making a difference together. Wishing you all the joy, health, and love you deserve!

Don't tell us that you're still shopping at Kroger and not donating to a good cause!?! 😔

Well, you still can support us by adding us to your Kroger Plus shopping card.It's simple!

Once you add us, every time you go grocery shopping, a percentage goes to supporting our organization. There nothing else you need to do but shop!😁

For more information you can email us at: [email protected]

We had an amazing time at our paint and sip today!!

So many new faces and great conversations and connections.

So appreciative for Ms. Rashelle Reynolds MFT for taking time out of her busy schedule to speak to our group about the importance of self care while fighting a chronic illness. You can learn more about her and her practice by visiting

We hope to see you all next time 💜 text the word "join" to (901)231-9497 to be in the loop with all that we have going on in the city.

Till next time.✌🏾

Today is the day!!!! We will be starting on time so get there at 12!!!!

Free to attend and all are welcome!!!

Painting supplies are first come!

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues and organs. This can lead to inflammation and damage affecting various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. The symptoms of lupus are diverse and can vary greatly among individuals, often mimicking other health conditions, which can make diagnosis challenging.

Common symptoms include:
- **Fatigue**: Persistent and overwhelming tiredness that doesn't improve with rest.
- **Joint Pain and Swelling**: Aching or stiffness in the joints, often accompanied by swelling, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees.
- **Skin Rashes**: The most characteristic is the butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, but other rashes can appear on various parts of the body.
- **Fever**: Low-grade fevers that are not related to infections.
- **Photosensitivity**: Increased sensitivity to sunlight, which can trigger or worsen skin rashes.
- **Hair Loss**: Thinning or loss of hair, which may occur in patches or more diffusely.
- **Kidney Problems**: Lupus nephritis, causing inflammation of the kidneys, can lead to swelling in the legs and feet and elevated blood pressure.
- **Chest Pain**: Pleurisy, which is inflammation of the lining around the lungs, can cause sharp chest pain, especially when taking deep breaths.
- **Raynaud's Phenomenon**: Fingers and toes turn white or blue in response to cold or stress.
- **Mouth and Nose Ulcers**: Painless sores or ulcers in the mouth or nose.
- **Neurological Symptoms**: Including headaches, dizziness, depression, memory loss, and seizures.

Because lupus symptoms can fluctuate, with periods of flares and remissions, managing the disease often involves a combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, and regular monitoring by healthcare professionals. Early diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan are crucial to managing lupus and maintaining a good quality of life.

Lupus survivors, supporters, and caregivers!!!

This Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 12-2pm join our Lupus Support Group at the East Shelby Library to explore the crucial link between mental health and managing chronic illnesses with special guest, *correction* Rashelle Reynolds, MFT.

No registration required and it's free to attend. Light refreshments will be served and painting supplies will be provided. (You are welcome to bring your own supplies as well.)

Together, we can support each other's journeys towards better well-being and resilience. For more information email: [email protected]

We're Back!! 💜Our next lupus support group meeting will be held August 10, 2024 at the East Shelby Library from 12pm - 2pm.

This event is open to all lupus survivors, supporters, and caregivers. Our topic is mental health awareness while fighting chronic illnesses.

Paint and Sip supplies will be provided. However you are free to bring your own.

For more information email [email protected]

Disability Pride is celebrated in July because 34 years ago, on July 26, 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed. This important civil rights law banned discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.

During Disability Pride Month, let's ensure voting is accessible for all. Here are some tips to make voting easier for people with disabilities:

Accessible Polling Places: Ensure polling locations are wheelchair accessible with clear signage. ♿️

Train Poll Workers: Educate poll workers on how to assist voters with disabilities. 🗳️

Promote Mail-In Ballots: Encourage the use of mail-in and absentee ballots. ✉️

Large Print & Braille Ballots: Offer ballots in large print and braille and authorize assistance. 📝

Advocate for Inclusive Legislation: Support laws that simplify voter registration and make voting more inclusive. 📜

A photo ID is required when you vote. All voters must present an ID containing your name and photograph when voting at the polls, whether voting early or on Election Day.

Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:
Tennessee drivers license with your photo
United States Passport
Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
United States Military photo ID
State-issued handgun carry permit with your photo

IDs that are not acceptable:
College student IDs and photo IDs not issued by the federal or Tennessee state government

Who is exempt?
Voters who vote absentee by mail
Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
Voters who are hospitalized
Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee

If you do not have a photo ID you may get a free photo ID from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security at a driver service center. You will need proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate), two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, utility bill, vehicle registration/title, or bank statement), and if your name differs from that on your primary ID, proof of the changed name (such as a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, certified court order, etc.). If you do not have a photo on your driver's license and no other form of valid photo ID, you may visit a driver service center to have your photo added to your license for free upon request.

If you do not bring a valid photo ID to the polling place you may vote a provisional ballot. You will then have two business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid ID.

The disability vote is important for several reasons:

Representation: People with disabilities make up a significant portion of the population, and their concerns and issues should be represented in the policies and decisions made by elected officials.

Policy Impact: Elected officials determine policies that can directly impact the lives of people with disabilities, including healthcare, employment opportunities, accessibility standards, and social services. Voting allows individuals to influence these policies.

Advocacy and Awareness: The disability vote can serve as a powerful advocacy tool, raising awareness about disability rights and promoting changes in society that enhance accessibility and equality.

Community Engagement: Voting encourages civic engagement within the disability community and strengthens its voice in broader societal discussions.

Overall, the disability vote is crucial for ensuring that the concerns, needs, and perspectives of people with disabilities are represented and addressed in the democratic process.

Mark your calendar for these important dates!

Make your voice heard! Participate in early voting to shape the future of our community. Your vote counts!

Vulnerable citizens, carers, and those with an underlying health condition or disability may have little choice about voting at a polling station, making a mail-in ballot crucial for access to official elections for a significant proportion of people.

Inclusivity is essential to voter confidence, and it is often the more marginalized groups that are unable to participate when conventional ballots require in-person attendance.

Offering alternatives, such as mail-in ballots, ensures that an election's outcome is fair and representative of the diverse communities within the voter pool, rather than only those with the resources to travel in order to cast their vote.

You can read more about absentee voting at sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/guide-to-absentee-voting

With elections around the corner, did you know that voters with disabilities have the right to vote privately and independently or to get help casting their ballots?

This includes:

- The right to an accessible polling place.
- The right to an accessible voting machine.
- The right to in-person assistance from any person that the voter chooses, except their employer, an agent of their employer, or an officer or agent of their union.

Know your rights and visit tndisability.org/disability-vote for more information.

The Memphis Lupus Group celebrates love, diversity, and equality, not just this Pride Month, but always and forever! 🌈

We tolerate no hate and EVERYONE is welcome. 🤗 Let's continue to uplift and support each other every day.

Happy Pride Month!

Lupus is an invisible disability that is often misunderstood. We need a cure. 💜

🗓️ Join our President with the Lupus Chat crew on May 19th at 2 PM CT (3 PM ET) for a discussion on the need for support groups. We’ll discuss which kinds of lupus support groups we prefer, whether they’ve helped or hurt us along our journey, and our experiences as we . 💜

Here's to the heart of every kind of motherhood – celebrating the love, strength, and resilience that define you all. Happy Mother's Day to moms, moms-to-be, angel moms, surrogate moms, and those whose journey to motherhood may be filled with challenges. Your love knows no bounds.

Happy Mother's Day from the Memphis Lupus Support Group 💖

Today was an amazing day for us! Our annual bowlathon fundraiser was such a success.

Although we didn't reach the goal, we still came very close and still had an amazing time. We are truly thankful for everyone that showed up to bowl, donate, or fundraise on our group's behalf.

Congratulations to all trivia, bowling team, and individual winners!

See you all next year!

Still want to donate to the cause!?
CashApp: $MemphisLupus
PayPal: [email protected]

World Lupus Day, observed annually on May 10th, serves as a global platform to amplify awareness about this autoimmune disorder and rally support for the millions of individuals worldwide grappling with its challenges.

Purple, the official color of lupus awareness, serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity for millions of individuals worldwide living with lupus and their loved ones. It represents strength, resilience, and the collective commitment to advocating for better care, research, and support for the lupus community.

Despite affecting a significant portion of the population, lupus often remains misunderstood and overlooked, underscoring the urgent need for collective action and advocacy. As we mark World Lupus Day, it is incumbent upon those unaffected by this condition to unite in solidarity and actively engage in efforts to combat this life-altering disease.

By joining hands and raising our voices, we can strive towards greater recognition, understanding, and support for those navigating the complexities of lupus.

THIS SATURDAY!!💜💜

There's still some time left to purchase a ticket to support our Bowlathon!

We have so many prizes and awards to give, you don't want to miss this!

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and supported! ☺️ For more information email [email protected]