Lupus Living Perspective

 Lupus Living Perspective

(Lupus Foundation of America)

            Lupus can affect both men and women of any age. Women make up the majority of those whom are diagnosed with Lupus. This blog will focus on the male perspective of living with Lupus. This will give an insight and different outlooks on coping, physical, psychological and social developments. The Living Perspective chosen is Nick Cannon. Nick is an Entertainer, Actor, Father, Business Professional and TV personality. Nick is also currently and ambassador for Lupus of America in Washington.

Self-Concept and Perceptions

            A person living with disabilities may not see themselves as such and have high self-esteem. The self-concept of identity issues comes along when others judge based on appearance (Marini & Stebnick, 2018). Persons labeled as disabled often do not recognize it as a disabilities but instead as an advantage. For those whom do not understand the positive perceptions of disabilities are the ones whom are deleterious. Why would it be bad to be in a wheelchair, blind, deaf, or even have Lupus? Based on society it is because it is not acceptable to be anything other than perfect or “normal”.

How this Affects Those Coping with the Disability

            Nick described coping with Lupus by accepting it, living with it and don’t give up. Complying and working with doctors and learning that this is not the end will assist in surviving the disease (Lupus Foundation of America, 2017). Frequently people living with Lupus cope with this internal struggle, making it common for outsiders to think nothing is wrong. Many seek spiritual and medicinal remedies to cope with pain and mental health. With the continuous feeling of being sick some learn to live with it while working. Nick found that by not listening to warning signs the body gives and in some cases this can cause death (TV, 2018).

How Disability Impacts Physical Development 

            Lupus causes the body to go through various changes. Some of which are rapid while others may lay dormant and not show unless under server stress. A coupe of the common side effects of Lupus is fatigue and loss of physical functions. Exercising can help alleviate theses symptoms. However it can also cause flare ups so it is important to know personal limits (Mahieu, et al., 2016). Even with physically conditioning to gain relief, does not mean there will not be pain sometimes. Nick describes the physical aspect of Lupus as days where the illness overtakes your body (TV, 2018) Nick believes knowing you have Lupus allows you focus on your health and physical wellbeing (Lupus Foundation of America, 2017).

How Disability Impacts Psychological Development 

            Physical pain can cause psychological pain as well. Although it may not feel the same it can have the same cause and effect. During the interview Nick viewed it as its okay to not be okay. Having a support system is beneficial to everyone (Lupus Foundation of America, 2017). Lupus does not only affect the person with the disease but also those around. Friends, family and loved ones do not want to see the pain that cannot be helped but only lived through. Nick has had many scares of death and several pulmonary embolisms of which not many survive. The feeling of always being ready to die and dealing with pain will become the apart of life. That makes life worth living and every day and moment free of pain is one that is appreciated and not taken for granted (TV, 2018).

How Disability Impacts Social Development

The best way to get past all the emotional stress of Lupus is to get active. One of the main things that Nick felt helped was getting involved and getting to know the illness. Being around persons with like diagnosis can help with not feeling alone (Lupus Foundation of America, 2017). Although not a true statement in some cases, alone is one of the main feelings many persons living with a disease or disability express. The immediate fear of death or being a burden often isolates a person into not wanting to socialize with others. If one begins to get involved and learning more about what is (or not) to come, some of these fears may dissipate overtime. Nick gives the advice of living in the moment and no longer focusing on the future helps with focusing on those around now (TV, 2018).

Please see attached videos for more information on Lupus Living Perspective: Nick Cannon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uD5P5BT_Bk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E1t13_pK6A

 

Reference

Lupus Foundation of America. (2017, August 07). Nick Cannon talks about Living with Lupus. Retrieved June 07, 2021, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uD5P5BT_Bk

Lupus Foundation of America. (n.d.). Nick Cannon, Lupus Warrior. Retrieved June 07, 2021, from Lupus Foundation of America: https://www.lupus.org/personal-stories/nick-cannon-lupus-warrior

Mahieu, M. A., Ahn, G., Chmiel, J., Dunlop, D., Helenowski, I., Semanik, P., et al. (2016, 10 February). Fatigue, patient reported outcomes, and objective measurement of physical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. Retrieved June 07, 2021, from Sage Journals: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0961203316631632

Marini, I., & Stebnick, M. A. (2018). The Psychological and Social Impact of Illness and Disability 7th Ed. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

TV, T. O. (2018, October 01). Nick Cannon Living with Lupus: Doctors Say "You've Arrived Too Late" | Uncensored. Retrieved June 07, 2021, from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E1t13_pK6A