In this month’s Community Interview we talk with Charisma Atkins, DrPH (she/her) from Atlanta about her chronic illness, her work in public health, and her advocacy.

Hello Charisma! It is awesome to talk with you today. Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

I live in metro Atlanta area. I am single and e-dating. I have a family of support from my parents, siblings, cousins, and a host of family friends and loved ones. I have no children of my own, one of the downsides of contracting Lupus soo young and soo early in the research of the disease. But I have a Goddaughter that I love very deeply. She brings me so much joy. Her mother grants me the pleasure to help raise her. So whenever I am with her there is brightness and pure love in my heart and soul that I feel for her. I will stop whatever I am doing just to be there for her.

Do you have a favourite hobby?

I have several hobbies. I love to travel. Something some people take for granted. But when you been on dialysis and are constantly told to not travel so far or to take all your supplies with you – I especially love to pick up and go somewhere. I also love skincare, so much so I went and earned my aesthetics license. My other significant hobby is working out. I love to see what I can do in the gym because it makes me feel like I am “normal” and can do what anybody else can do. I started taking exercise very seriously about 5 years into my diagnosis and truly believe it has helped sustain and maintain me all these years. Other hobbies include shopping, trying new foods/restaurants, and just being with friends and family.

What terms do you like to use in relation to your illnesses/disabilities?

I refer to myself as a Lupus Warrior or lovingly called a Lupie. I choose to call myself a Warrior and not a survivor because I am continuing to fight for my health every day and the word survivor signifies that I am only surviving. And I’m doing more than just surviving, I am thriving. As a warrior I recognize the obstacles and complexities of Lupus and I know how to maneuver and respond to them to ensure that I continue to thrive.

Do you have a job outside of your chronic illness?

Yes, I have worked in public health for almost 20 years about the same length of time I have had lupus. I have been an Epidemiologist at the state and federal level since 2003. Throughout my journey I continued to aspire for higher heights, earning my Masters and Doctorate in Public Health. I have worked in several major public health projects including HIV, Ebola, Zika, Bird Flu, and COVID. Traveling all over the world helping other countries build up their public health capacity, while staying safe and protected, taking my medicine, and thriving with Lupus. I also got my International Certification in Esthetics so I can help educate and inform other Lupies and Chronic Disease Warriors about their skin. I have help my own day spa for 5 years, written articles, and spoke at Esthetic shows about skincare among the Chronic Disease Community.

Do you have a diagnosis for your symptoms?

I have Lupus Nephritis, which means that I have Lupus that affects my kidneys. For years it was monitored through medication but because Lupus is an autoimmune condition it began to affect my kidneys. Since then I have gone through dialysis and received a kidney transplant.

Would you be willing to describe what dialysis is?

Sure. Dialysis is a medical intervention used when the kidneys enter into failure. Kidneys are responsible for urination that helps filter the blood and clean out toxins. Often times people in kidney failure do not urinate enough or urinate at all. Making it extremely difficult for filtering toxins and cleaning the blood. This leads to swelling in the body and retention of water and waste. Therefore a dialysis machine is used as a temporary replacement for the kidneys to help patients filter toxins, clean the blood, and reduce that swelling. There are different ways to dialyze, but most people either receive hemodialysis (traditional way) through a fistula or graft placed in the arm. Or they do peritoneal dialysis (PD) through a tube that it implanted in one’s stomach/abdomen that also aids in filtration and removal of toxins. Both ways are helpful and proven effective. But it just depends on the patient’s preference.

How long did it take for you to get a diagnosis?

I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE [Systemic Lupus Erythematosus] in 2001. Receiving a diagnosis was quick. I had muscle pain and was exhausted for about a week. One day I was unable to stand or walk. My parents took me to their General Practitioner. He ran some tests including the Lupus test. It was positive, he sent me to a Rheumatologist and so began my journey.

Does having a diagnosis help you? 

I’m glad I have a diagnosis because it allows me to understand the symptoms and gives me a plan of attack. The worst part of my journey was by far dialysis. But that’s hopefully over. I have had a transplant for 2 years and with every lab my results get better.

How has your experiences of the world changed since your symptoms started?

My experience of the world hasn’t changed that much because I won’t allow Lupus to stop me from anything I want to do. Very rarely do I have continuing symptoms. But the hardest one is muscle pain. But lifting weights, taking my medicine, drinking water, and getting rest helps with the symptom.

What does a bad day and a good day symptom-wise look like for you?

I don’t have a bad or good symptom day. I count everyday as a day to keep living and thriving. Some days I have pain and some days I don’t. But at least I’m not in the hospital or bedridden. So it’s all about perspective for me. As long as I can walk, breathe, and enjoy life it is a GOOD DAY.

What has been the most helpful for you as you have gone through this journey?

Support has been the greatest help throughout the journey. Having a medical team that understands my wants and needs has also been extremely helpful. But most importantly it has been my faith that has sustained me through the different hospital stays, pain, dialysis, emotions, and all the ups and downs.

Is there anything you would like people to know about your chronic illness or chronic illness in general?

Lupus is a chronic condition that many people have and deal with. But I want people to know that with support, the right medical advice and guidance, and self-determination Lupus CANNOT STOP YOU! Please consider learning more about Lupus and the great works the Lupus Foundation of America and the American Kidney Foundation continue to do and advocate for.

Thank you Charisma!

To follow with Charisma you can visit Instagram (cyatkins), TikTok (cyatkins36), and Facebook (Charisma Atkins). 
For her aesthetic business the Instagram is (SimplyCharisma) and website www.simplycharisma.net