I am a woman who started her own production company as a result of being diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis in April 2001. In 2006 I produced the documentary titled "Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases." The documentary explores the lives of seven African American women as they cope with their individual autoimmune diseases on a daily basis. The women explain their emotional and physical difficulties of living with chronic, potentially debilitating diseases while dealing with the ignorance they encounter in society due to their healthy outer appearance. In spite of their daily battles with the diseases, they are able to triumph and live fulfilling lives. The documentary also features commentary by rheumatologist Dr. Adrienne Burford Foggs of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL and neurologist Dr. Tonya Fuller of Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, IL. The purpose of the documentary is to spread awareness and the message of hope to people, especially women, who are battling autoimmune diseases. You can check out more about me and the documentary at www.controlyourauto.com.
