Becoming dynamically disabled: a journey from patient to advocate

Catrina Scott from Elsevier discusses doing meaningful work while dealing with the challenges of lupus.

"For years, I faced skepticism from those who dismissed my symptoms as job stress or 'just in your head.' Now, I work for an employer that enables me to thrive and help others with disabilities."

In a career spanning three decades in clinical software, I have delivered complex Clinical Decision Support products and built exceptional teams. However, these peaks of success were often followed by sudden declines in my health and well-being, leading to extended periods away from work.

For years, I faced skepticism from employers and medical professionals who dismissed my symptoms as job stress or “just in your head.” It wasn’t until I found a compassionate general practitioner who took my concerns seriously and reviewed my personal research that I began to uncover the truth behind my illness.

After six months of consultations with a rheumatologist and a kidney specialist, I received a diagnosis: Seronegative Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, commonly known as ANA-negative lupus. This rare form of the autoimmune disease is particularly elusive, as standard diagnostic Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) tests often yield normal results, causing many clinicians to overlook the possibility of Lupus despite other abnormal clinical indicators.

Read the full story from Catrina Scott about doing meaningful work while dealing with the challenges of lupus: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/becoming-dynamically-disabled-a-journey-from-patient-to-advocate

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