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Since she was diagnosed with lupus in 2017, Shanna Raymond says that life has been rough."It got so bad I have times when my eyes, nose and lips are completely swollen. My joints have been the most affected though, because once I'm not on the medication, I'm really crippled, where I literally cannot walk and dress myself properly," she said.

"I am very afraid because I don't want to get to a stage where I have to go on dialysis or I'm completely immobilised because it is a very life-threatening disease."

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system targets the body's own tissues and attacks them. While the disease, which sometimes appears to run in families, can be managed, there is no cure.

Raymond, 26, of Harbour View, St Andrew, told THE STAR she is in dire need of financial assistance to keep the disease contained. She has had to quit school because of her illness, and as is currently unemployed. Her parents have also exhausted their savings to get her the help she needs.

Had to stop college

"I was studying marketing at UWI and I had to stop in 2018 because my illness got really bad. It takes a mental toll on me especially because of finances. Once I don't have drugs, then I'm in a crippling position," Raymond said. "Each time I visit the doctor, each test costs like $30,000, and as I take one test, there is another. So it is always taking money. My parents used to help me but they can't manage anymore because it is a lot."

The drugs that Raymond has been using to treat her condition have had telling side effects. Dealing with those comes at an additional cost.

"I have to see a dermatologist because of the damages on my skin, and an ophthalmologist because the eyes drops I'm using have affected my vision. So I really can't see well and everything is just piling up on me," she said.

"It is a variety of things I need to do, that's why I'm seeking help. I live on medications. I've been on them for almost three years now and I take them every day, so that's a financial strain," she added.

She said that she currently lives alone and it is a struggle to care for herself, especially when she is lacking in medication.

Raymond has launched a GoFundMe account to assist with her medical bills and to purchase food supplies.

"I can't eat certain things and I'm low on money anyway, so I can't really afford it. I've been struggling so much and I just need a little help to get me in a better space," she said. "I'm stronger now than I was before because I've started to just accept that this is my life now. I have to live with this disease for the rest of my life. The only thing I can do is manage it."

Shanna Raymond may be contacted at: 1 (869) 667-6633 or GoFundMe