Your Eyes are the Window to Your Story

I was diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome 20 years ago, at the age of 31, right after my first child was born. I feel that I am one of the lucky ones when it comes to autoimmune diseases, disorders or disabilities. My rheumatologist was fantastic in helping me cope physically and mentally with my diagnosis. He said that Sjögren's, although it is systemic, it is a 'nuisance' and an inconvenient disorder, rather than a degenerative disease the way others are. For this I was thankful and have always maintained that attitude—it could be worse, it could be degenerative, it could be terminal. My dry eyes have been the biggest issue that I felt embarrassment about, as people don't get it when you put eye drops in your eyes in public. I felt shame around this for years. I only just started wearing sunglasses with shields to protect against wind, and now I don't care what people think! My scleral lens have been fantastic with minimizing dryness and redness. I am now somewhat wind resistant and I use drops so much less! I am blessed and thankful all I have is Sjögren's.

Odette