My name is Marina Lane and I have Systemic Lupus, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. Since the beginning of high school I have struggled with balancing school, my extracurriculars and managing my symptoms that come from my chronic illnesses. I am now in my junior year of my undergraduate education and I have changed tremendously due to my autoimmune disease and chronic illnesses. At the beginning of my journey with my health, I was devastated when I was referred to my primary care physician because my lab results had suggested that I had lupus. I remember a specific day in which I had 16 vials of blood taken and just thinking to myself “why can’t I just be normal?” Looking back at my adolescent self, she was very distressed and discouraged at the idea of having an autoimmune disease. Jumping forward to today, I realize how far I’ve come and how much my mindset has improved regarding my conditions. Of course, I am still heavily distressed when a flare up comes around, but now it doesn’t seem like it will be the end of the world for me. My mindset has changed drastically and I have begun to care more for my health than I used to. Now, I use a mobility aid and work to bring awareness for mobility aids, disabilities, chronic illnesses, fatigue and pain around my campus and through my social media. I participate heavily in the vocal ensembles at my university, sitting in a chair at the bottom of the risers and cheerfully singing my heart out. I have joined several online communities and support groups to discuss the trials and tribulations of having autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses and encourage others when they are feeling discouraged. I am currently working to gain re-admission into the school of music at my university so that I may become a music educator for elementary and junior high students. Aside from my education, I spend my free time working on products for my shop in which I provide care packages for individuals coping with trauma and disabilities. Moving forward, I hope to find more ways to reach out to individuals dealing with chronic illnesses and do my best to help those in need, as well as continuing to bring awareness for disabilities, mental health and chronic conditions. I will continue to persevere despite my illnesses and I will not let anything get in the way of me and my goals.