Today we’d like to introduce you to Ester Charlestin
Hi Ester, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Finding out I had Lupus at the age of 22 I’ve gone through so many battles that I wish I had someone to guide me along the way. I have gone through symptoms such as severe fatigue, night sweats, ulcers in my mouth and nose, fevers of 104, rashes all over my body, loss of appetite, loss of breath, sensitivity to my fingers, chest pain and a whole host of other aliments. Ignoring all the warning signs and my bodies constant cries for help, I’ve now had to undergo two hip replacements as well as the constant intake of medication to help regulate my symptoms. Lupus isn’t only a silent disease, but also a costly one. I wanted to start this non-profit organization primarily focused on helping those in need of resources to battle and live with Lupus, or as I like to call them: Lupus Warriors. A Lupus Warrior is someone living with Lupus who decides to live in spite of the debilitating daily struggles that come with the conditions. As a Lupus warrior myself, I would like to provide an outlet for those who need to express themselves in a world that often turns a blind eye to this unseen battle. The funding of this organization will be used to make a difference in their lives by providing resources like CML Boxes, which are care packages that help manage and provide for unforeseen battles of Lupus Warriors.
Today, we have established Lupus Hangouts to provide a stress free environment where we embrace life in the moment. Which are held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month at the Dr. James R. Smith Center on Bruton Blvd. to do events like art, yoga, bingo, juicing and more. All of this because we deserve a free safe space where we can speak without judgement. We aim to “listen and we don’t judge.”
A battle televised has two segments. The podcast on Spotify is for people telling their story and the YouTube will be used to show us in our spaces introducing the world to our norms.
We are collecting items for the CML boxes but have not yet started the initiative.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This organization has been through its fair share of ups and downs, because sometimes I’m a one (wo)man show because everything costs money and time. Along with that, we lost our status in the end of 2019 because I didn’t know how to do all of the needed administrative tasks(accounting, social media, and etc). As a result, I have learned to accept help. In 2024, I was introduced to a non-profit organization called Crave, inc., whose mission is to help nonprofits to structure, develop, and grow by providing various workshops that promote leadership within a year. They have helped me with the seed God gave me to transform my mission into something measurable through structure.This helped me clarify my vision for the organization and create a plan. So now we are back to help those that don’t have support, need community, looking for resources, and wanting to tell there story.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I’m a pharmacy specialist. I schedule medication re-fills. I add insurance, medical information and transfer patients to the right department if they are needing patient counseling or transfer providers to the pharmacist. Nothing too extraordinary, but I do have a Bachelors Degree in Human Communication. The goal was to work in public relations for a hospital or find a job in radio, because I’m a speaker through and through. Now, I’m using my schooling and 10+ year experience with having lupus to push a community of people who go unseen, unheard or dismissed.
I have published an appointment log and journal on Amazon that has worked for me, while I have been sick…lol. I’m known for having two metal hips which were complications of lupus. I am most proud of how I redirect my energy to the things I can control and let God handle what I can’t.
What sets me apart of other people is that I am Ester Charlestin. And that is the only person I can be.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Advice for those starting out is you won’t have everything figured out. You just have to go with the initial plan and make adjustments as time progresses.
I wish I had known it was okay to take people out to lunch or dinner that are doing the same thing you are trying to do, to get advice and ask questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://channelmylupus.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channelmylupus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aBattleTelevised/
