Sharnell J.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Sharnell Junious is a fighter. At 12 years old she began noticing something was not right. She would get tired easily and always went to bed early and didn’t have as much energy as other kids. She then noticed the right side of her stomach was larger.

She was taken to Children’s Memorial Hospital and was diagnosed with acute autoimmune hepatitis. She never let the disease stop her from living her life and for 18 years she has learned to live with and manage the disease.

From having to deal with taking multiple medications, dosages, and weekly blood draws, she still has a positive outlook on life. Instead of looking at living with this disease as a negative situation, Shar has embraced learning about the liver and learning how to treat it right.

Her best advice for anyone living with her auto-immune hepatitis or any liver disease is to listen to your doctor’s advice. She has learned that taking your medication and eating right have a seriously impact your liver if not done properly.

Above all, she would not have been able to have such a positive outlook if it were not for her strong support system of family and friends who help her through difficult times. She does not let the disease limit her and is determined to always have a positive outlook on life.