The Autoimmune Strong Commitment to Inclusion

When we live with autoimmune disease, we live with pain that is very real, visible and tangible. Yet, we are so often told that our pain isn’t real and doesn’t matter. And that's what makes this community within Autoimmune Strong so special. What brings us all together is that we listen to each other's pain. We acknowledge that this pain is real, and we stand with our fellow sufferers in support.

I write this blog post in support of a different kind of pain. This is pain not related to autoimmune disease, but instead to systemic racism. I am listening to the pain of the Black community. I acknowledge that the pain is real, and I stand with the Black community in support.

Here are the action steps I will be taking as the leader of Autoimmune Strong, to continue to work to make Autoimmune Strong a safe and welcoming community for all who need it.

I will continue to educate myself by attending a variety of courses on how to coach and lead with inclusivity. Two courses I will be taking in the next coming weeks are Chrissy King’s course on Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals and Dr. Jennifer Hutton’s course on Anti-Racism & Allyship for Rehab and Movement Professionals.

I will continue to educate myself with other books, workshops and educational opportunities not just now, but consistently over the course of the years. As a personal trainer, I am required to continue my education to keep my certification, and I will hold myself to the same process for inclusion education as well.

I will require that the Autoimmune Strong coaches receive same education and encourgage conversation within the Autoimmune Strong Coaching Team to make sure that we are always coaching with inclusivity in mind. 

As Autoimmune Strong grows, I will look for opportunities to build a diverse and inclusive team.

I will continue to learn more about the intersection of autoimmune disease and the BIPOC experience and I will use that information to inform my work. 

I invite any and all members of our community who are black or people of color to share their stories with me, so I can better understand how these diseases affect all people, not just people who look like me. Like with so much else related to autoimmune health, there is not much written on how the experience of autoimmune disease and race particularly as it relates to exercise, so hearing your personal stories would be helpful. Please, reach out to me if you would like, I am open to a frank and honest conversation.  

And I invite you to send me any and all resources that you think might help me on this journey. 

When I started Autoimmune Strong, my dream was for it to become a beacon of hope for people in pain. These steps are just a piece of an ongoing process to make sure that all people are represented here, and I look forward to building an even stronger, more supportive community for all people who need it.

With Love,

Andrea