Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Meet Destini and Chandra Alphabet

The lupus community includes people living with lupus, friends, family and supporters across Georgia. For Lupus Awareness Month, we would like to highlight some of our lupus heroes and champions. 

A Special Mother's Day Tribute: Destini and Chandra Alphabet

My mother was diagnosed with lupus in 1999 at the age of 30 when I was 5-years-old. As a child I didn’t understand what lupus was, I just knew one day mommy was fine and the next day mommy was in the hospital sick. As a child to see your mother completely helpless and unrecognizable, as she was swollen with several tubes connected to her body was a heart-breaking and traumatizing experience. After about a month, in and out the hospital she was diagnosed with lupus. 

It was very difficult time for me and my family as this was the first we had ever heard of this, we didn’t have the foundation to call, there was no emergency finance assistance or many resources around at that time.

So for me to be able to provided and connect constituents with resources as a Community Outreach Manager here at the foundation has been nothing but honor. Although my mother still has some difficult days, she is the strongest woman I know! THIS IS MY Lupus survivor, warrior, hero, and role model! I couldn’t have asked God for a better mother! I love you so much! Happy Mother’s Day! 

- Your daughter, Destini