Woman forms support group for those who suffer from autoimmune disease

There are over 100 named autoimmune diseases and some unknown rare diseases that the National Institute for Health has no clue what they are despite years of research. Autoimmune diseases are the invisible incurable nightmare affecting 75 percent of the American female population with a staggering $100 billion impact in annual health care costs, per the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association.

When Britt Wood was diagnosed last June with a rare autoimmune disease, dermatomyositis, her world turned upside down fast. As a late-stage breast cancer survivor, she knew her first steps were to find a support group that would help lead her down another unknown path. She spoke with the local muscular dystrophy office and kept chasing recommendations from anyone who answered her calls. She couldn’t believe it. Not one support group existed for the autoimmune disease community.

Almost 10 months later, Wood has formed her own support group serving Lockhart, Luling and the San Marcos communities. “This is the perfect example of making lemonade out of lemons,” Wood said. “If I was going to be the poster child, I had to get to a better place with my own health before I could even think about supporting others.

“This journey has brought many women to my attention who have been abandoned by their husbands, destroyed careers and created debt that no one had planned for,” she continued. “We all have similar stories to share and have learned how to survive with a body that is masked with too many drugs aiding us to make it thru one more day. Sometimes, it’s moment by moment.”

She knew the need was there for others. “Women have been coming out of the woodwork like crazy, (pun not intended)” she said.

To find out more about the Texas Autoimmune Disease Support Group, email brittwood@gmail.com.