That’s pretty awful, right? Well, let me explain…
Before Venus Williams announced that she had been diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome and would withdraw from the US Open because of it, Sjogren’s was the black sheep of the auto-immune disease family. Few people have heard of it, and those who have get it all wrong.
Suddenly, the media was reporting about Sjogren’s Syndrome and explaining that it caused joint pain and fatigue. Which is galaxies above the usual description of “dry eyes and mouth.”
I wish I only had dry eyes and dry mouth! I’ve had Sjogren’s Syndrome for several years now. I am medicated to the gills to ensure that I can move.
Yes, Sjogren’s Syndrome causes dryness…throughout the entire body, not only the mouth and eyes. With this disease, the immune system attacks the moisture making glands throughout the body. Eyes, mouth, esophagus, stomach, vagina, skin, joints, lungs, etc. Anything that requires moisture can be affected. Plus, with many autoimmune diseases, the resulting fatigue can be devastating.
Venus’ announcement gave an entire community hope. Hope that people would stop describing the disease incorrectly. Hope that money for research would be more available. Hope that someone with enormous resources would find a medication or treatment that could benefit all of us. Hope that people would recognize that an elite athlete has been hobbled by an invisible disease that makes us look like lazy sloths.
I know this is unfair to Venus. She’s probably thinking, “I don’t want to be a face to a disease! I just want to play tennis!”
I hope you do play tennis again, Venus! Because if you can go back to playing competitive tennis, I might be able to make beads again! I’ve had to stop because I can’t make the hand motion required! If you play tennis, I might be able to run up and down the stairs again!
If you find a treatment that helps you, I might be able to trade in the 92 different medications and supplements I take each week for something easier and better!
I’m not expecting something for nothing. I can give you tons of support and understanding if you need it. I’ve got your back!
4 Responses to “Venus Williams Has Sjogren’s Syndrome & We Rejoiced”
Leave a Reply
Susie, this was SO informative. Thank you for sharing it with us, along with your personal experience. I am sorry that you AND Venus have to deal with this. As you said, her battle may help people understand the syndrome better and devote more resources to it. Let’s hope.
Agreed. Thank you so much for sharing. When I read your title I was totally confused. But thank you. And I hope you do get huge publicity for this and that there are paths to finding help really soon.
@ace1028 I hope the researchers are kicked into action! Venus Williams (and now Lou Rawl’s widow?!) are big names. Hard to ignore them!
@biggreenpen Thank you! If it just makes people stop saying it’s all about dry eyes and mouth that will be a start!