Hear From Patients & Care Partners

In this video, Christy shares her journey with dermatomyositis, which began in an unexpected way — with severe symptoms appearing almost overnight. Within just a few days, she developed painful calcifications in her arms, long before anyone had answers. Christy talks about the challenges of getting a diagnosis, the pain and uncertainty she faced, and what she wishes doctors understood about the suffering behind the symptoms. She also reflects on what she wishes her family had known about living with dermatomyositis and offers a powerful life lesson she’s learned along the way: the importance of saying ‘no’ and setting boundaries to protect her health.