Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Racquel H. Dozier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Racquel H. , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I am trained as a Social Worker & Teacher with a history of working in the foster care system. A defining moment that changed the trajectory of my career is when I became ill. I was a foster care social worker for high risk children and became very ill. It was at this time that I was diagnosed with lupus. Because I was so ill I had to stop working for a short period of time. This gave me time to really think about what I wanted to do with my life and my career. After returning to work as a computer teacher in a private school, it was only a matter of time before I became sick again but this time it almost cost me my life. I was never able to return back to work. I was declared permanently disabled and had to rethink what a career was. I put my career on hold and began to modify and change my course of action in my life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was diagnosed officially with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2004, but the onset of the disease started in 2002 when I was given a firm diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the prime of my life, My family and I had recently relocated to a new state with a young child, just enjoying life to the fullest. But something just wasn’t right.

After several hospitalizations with what was thought to be rheumatoid arthritis and medication issues, lupus began to rear its ugly head in my body. A year and a half after my arthritis diagnosis I began having issues walking, eating and functioning and became very ill and was hospitalized again. This hospitalization was a difficult one with a brush with death. While hospitalized the doctors worked earnestly to find out what was going on in my body. An endoscopy was performed, and it was determined Systemic Lupus Erythematosus was the cause of my then current issues as it began to affect my internal organs. This was a difficult time for me being officially diagnosed with a life altering chronic illness, but it was a time that pushed me into action to learn and do more.

Once diagnosed, I realized that there was little to no support or access to information about lupus, so I quickly educated myself as to what sort of life changes I would need to make as well as how to treat my new found disease. I realized that my story could touch another person who may be afraid after a lupus diagnosis. I finally understood I could educate others about lupus and formed Lupus In Color an international support and awareness group.

I created Lupus In Color to educate, inspire, encourage and empower lupus warriors worldwide. I never wanted anyone to feel lost as they battled lupus.

Based out of Henrico, Virginia, Lupus In Color is assisting lupus warriors throughout the Richmond, Virginia area in person and digitally around the world. The main goal of Lupus In Color is to give positive hope to lupus warriors through education, inspiration, encouragement and empowerment while providing positive support, interactions and most needed lupus awareness and advocacy.

I am the founder and CEO of Power Productions Design & Development, a professional technical and marketing company. Professionally, I’ve worked in the Social Work field working with the homeless population, foster children and drug addicted individuals. Before being rendered totally disabled, I worked as a computer teacher teaching students in pre-k through eighth grade in the private school arena.

I am an author, certified meditation facilitator and life coach. I reside in Henrico, Virginia with my husband and son. I am a life member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. which I hold near and dear to my heart. I love writing, dancing, helping others and spending time with my family, sorority sisters and close friends.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have had several brushes with death that I have overcome. The first was when I was first diagnosed with lupus, and I carried 4 liters of fluid in my belly from something called ascites. Lupus inflamed my intestines so bad that it was leaking fluid into my belly. When the doctor checked me in the hospital, he stated he didn’t understand how I was even breathing and walking with such a horrible case of inflammation. I was able to stay strong and overcome that issue.

The other brush with death was about 10 years ago when lupus attacked my uterus. I literally was bleeding out and my uterus was inflamed to the size of a volleyball. When I was picked up and taken to the ER the doctor once again stated he didn’t know how I was alive. I had lost most of the blood in my body. After a 4 hour surgery and 5 liters of blood through a transfusion, I came out of that situation healthier and stronger.

Resilience is my name. As a premature baby born at seven months, I have not let anything stop me and I will never give up defeating lupus daily. I attribute my resilience to the power of God seeing me through and knowing there is a greater purpose over my life.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I have always been in the field of Social Work. Even when I was rendered disabled, I found a way to be that counselor to those around me through my organization Lupus In Color. There is no real training that has helped me in this field. I believe that my personal experience and empathetic spirit helps tremendously to be successful in helping others realize and tap into their potential. Meeting people where they are and not judging them is most helpful in relating to others and helping them become empowered in their own lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lupusincolor.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/lupusincolor
• Facebook: facebook.com/lupusincolor
• Twitter: twitter.com/lupusincolor
• Youtube: youtube.com/lupusincolor
• Other: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ https://lupus.net/author/racqueldozier

Image Credits
MJD Photography