The stats are all too familiar – nine out of ten people with lupus are women. During Women’s History Month, actress, writer, and speaker living with lupus, Faith Majors has a powerful message of hope, encouraging women – particularly those on the difficult journey of lupus – to advocate for their own health and to find strength in hearing others’ experiences.
Before she was diagnosed with lupus, Faith experienced a series of frightening and unexplained symptoms that slowly began to take over her life. At times it felt as though electric shocks were running through her body for hours at a time. She experienced temporary vision loss, extreme pain, blackouts, night tremors, and debilitating fatigue that made even simple daily activities incredibly difficult.
As the symptoms worsened, Faith found herself searching desperately for answers. Over the course of a year and a half, she went to more than 80 medical appointments trying to understand what was happening to her body. The constant tests, hospital visits, and consultations were exhausting, yet clear answers remained out of reach. At one point, she was even told by her hospital system that there was nothing more they could do and that she might need to seek help elsewhere.
The experience became one of the darkest and most isolating periods of her life.
Struggling to Accept and Adapt
My mind was saying, ‘get out of bed,’ but my body was saying no,” Faith recalls. “There were days when simply getting through the day felt like a battle.”
Like many women, Faith initially tried to push through the symptoms and ignore what her body was telling her.
“Too often we put everyone else’s needs before our own,” she says. “We keep going and assume the symptoms will pass. But eventually your body forces you to pay attention.”
After a frightening episode involving convulsions, an immunologist began to suspect lupus and referred Faith to a rheumatologist. Receiving the diagnosis was overwhelming, as Faith had never even heard of lupus before.
Living with lupus brought physical challenges, uncertainty, and the realization that many people around her did not fully understand what she was going through.
“When I was sick and searching for answers, I felt incredibly alone,” Faith says. “That’s one of the reasons I share my story now so others living with lupus know they’re not alone.”
From Darkness to Hope
Over time, Faith began learning how to listen to her body and advocate for her health. She educated herself about lupus and built a support system of close friends and family who helped her navigate the difficult days.
Today, Faith continues to live with lupus and is committed to helping others facing the disease feel less isolated.
“Living with lupus is still something I navigate every day,” she says. “But if sharing my experience helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it.”
Faith has also found connection in hearing other people’s stories.
“We need to hear how others are coping so we can remind ourselves that we’re not alone,” she says.
Determined to help move research forward, Faith became involved with the Lupus Research Alliance and has hosted successful fundraising events to support their work advancing new treatments and scientific breakthroughs.
“Organizations like the Lupus Research Alliance are doing critical work to better understand this disease and develop new treatments,” she says. “Being part of that effort gives me hope for the future.”
The Power of Resilience
Even small moments have served as reminders of resilience. During a trip with her aunt, Faith was encouraged to try surfing. At the time, it felt nearly impossible given the limitations lupus had placed on her body. But after several attempts, she managed to stand up on the board and catch a wave.
For Faith, the moment was more than simply learning something new; it was a reminder that while lupus may change what life looks like, it does not define what is still possible.
Today, she continues to share her story so that others living with lupus know they are not alone and that even during the most difficult moments, there is still hope.