Andjenadebie Autar has Surinamese roots. She lives in the Netherlands, and 15 years ago became Systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE), she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the body produces inflammatory proteins that damage tissues and organs. The illness has periods of little or no illness alternating with severe illness cases. She tries Suriname raising awareness of this debilitating disease.
It is not yet known how this disease develops, but there are indications that genes, hormones, severe stress, sunlight and infections can contribute to it. It is only discovered through thorough investigation.
Andjena recently had a big billboard on the Wilhelminastraat, on which she refers to her website (https://www.andjenadebie.with/). Here she has information and also her stories about the fight against lupus and how she is coping with it.
Autar says, “It’s hard to tell from my appearance that I have lupus. I’m quite a busy bee, which makes you think you’re just dealing with someone who has a sea of energy. But I do have weak moments that I have learned to deal with.” SLE was discovered on her in August 2006 when she was 23.
Autar makes sure she eats well and healthily, gets enough exercise, takes rest and has check-ups done on time. In this way she ensures that the disease does not affect her. “Lupus is not a death sentence, you don’t have to suffer long if it is detected early and you can take steps to control the symptoms as best you can. But it is not an easy path.”
“Only a small percentage of people get this disease. Doctors therefore do not immediately investigate it,” she said. Although she shares her experiences on her website, she also says that the experience is different for everyone, “because one lupus patient is not the other”.
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