By Maisha Hasan
Who are all those purple people? These are the wonderings of passers-by as they see the annual walk led by Lupus Ontario, which was held on July 8 at LaSalle Park. The “purple people” vary in their reasons for being there but there is one common denominator: lupus awareness.
This was the first walk since three years ago, when COVID-19 first hit. Lupus Ontario had to take extra precautions in postponing their walk as most of their participants have the autoimmune disease. Fourteen cities across the province participate.
Everyone at the event has had lupus touch their lives in one way or another. Some of them have been personally battling with lupus in their everyday lives. Kaitlin Bautista is an individual who has lupus, and she and her friend expressed how great it was to have this support. “My whole family is here, and I do have lupus so it is a nice way to have everyone together and kind of bring awareness towards the disease,” Kaitlin said.
Others who battle with lupus agree, such as Sunita Mandi, who calls herself a “warrior.” “You isolate yourself but you have to keep going, that’s why we call ourselves warriors -— because everyday is a fight,” Mandi said, determined to show people that regardless of her medical condition, “lupus warriors” can still be strong.
Though there was a fair share of lupus warriors here, there are also those who are speaking for said warriors who cannot be here today. “My sister died in 1984 of complications. I now have a friend whose daughter is in her 20s and was diagnosed,” said Joy Carony, someone who is adamant on raising awareness for those who have dealt with lupus in their life.
When talking to head coordinator, Lisa Bilodeau, she expressed the importance of uplifting those with lupus in their lives. As someone who has lupus, they gave this word of advice on how to support those with lupus: “Ask questions about how we’re doing, understand when we have limitations; most times lupus is an invisible disease,” Bilodeau said. “I just hope for grace.”
The walk proved beneficial, with over a hundred people coming out to support and join for walks and yoga, along with thoughtful lectures.
For more information, check out lupusontario.org, as they offer counselling and support in person and online, as well as podcasts for further educational purposes.
