Hidden Illness

Regina Gordon was diagnosed in 1994 with an inflammatory autoimmune disease that is for the most part, invisible. For the first 22 years of her diagnosis, Ms. Gordon had to learn to navigate the medical system on her own, her reports and needs frequently dismissed and not understood by the medical community. This forced her to listen to her own body and become her own, empowered advocate.

It is often overlooked how a chronic illness impacts the whole family. Ms. Gordon’s mother, children and grandchildren are integral to her care and foremost in her mind as she works hard to keep herself as healthy as possible and continues her education - something she has never abandoned despite her illness. She has earned her Master’s in Liberal Studies and is currently working on writing a journal book.

She is an advocate for others - a ‘purple snowflake’ in the her world of rare illness. She is also a patient navigator and raises awareness for this devastating disease.

Her willingness to talk openly about her rare illness journey will open hearts, minds and eyes to the truth of living with chronic illness.