Finding Peace in the Unknown: My Journey Through Pain, Purpose, and Empowerment

I believe in the transformative power of love, grace, and peace. My journey of self-discovery has shown me that in helping others find their inner strength, I also uncover more of who I truly am. But this lesson didn’t come easily—it was forged through years of pain, uncertainty, and unwavering faith.

A disease with no name

For seven long years, I lived with a disease that had no name. The sudden, excruciating pain made even the softest cotton sheets unbearable against my skin. It wasn’t just discomfort—it was agony.

Simple tasks became unbearable. Getting dressed, lying down, or even feeling the brush of air against my body could send shockwaves of pain through me.

Cycling through doctors

I cycled through doctors, specialists, and medical tests, only to hear the same words over and over again: *We don’t know what’s wrong with you. Despite countless medical procedures and consultations, I remained a mystery to doctors.

But I refused to be defined by the unknown. When they called my condition a mystery, I responded, “No, my name is Lasaunia. What I have is the mystery.” I was more than my suffering. I was still a woman with dreams, ambitions, and a purpose far beyond my diagnosis—or lack thereof.

Leaning on prayer

In my darkest moments, I turned to prayer. I asked God that if I was meant to carry this disease, I needed the peace to endure it. I didn’t just want to survive this—I wanted to find a way to live, to thrive, even in the midst of my suffering.

That’s when I started affirming myself, speaking life into my situation. I shifted my perspective on my wounds and my condition. Instead of seeing my body as a battlefield, I began to see it as a testimony. Journaling became my way of seeking divine guidance and clarity.

Every day, I wrote down my thoughts, fears, and prayers. I poured out my frustration, my pain, but also my hopes. In those pages, I found a voice I didn’t realize I had. Writing gave me the strength to face each day, even when I didn’t know what the future held. All I knew was I had to get it off my head, get it off my heart and save my soul.

My pain didn't decide how I looked

I also made a great effort not to look like my situation. While I was suffering inside, I carried myself with grace, strength, and resilience—many never knew the depth of my struggle. I refused to let my pain dictate how I showed up in the world. I dressed well, I smiled, and I remained committed to my passions. My illness was a part of my life, but it was not my identity.

I finally met a doctor who saw me, she saw all of me. She was committed to finding out what was wrong with me. She would call me on a Sunday inquiring about how I was feeling and ask a series a questions based off her findings. I am eternally grateful our paths crossed. The tests she administered and the research she did all led to her finding my diagnosis.

Receiving a diagnosis

In January 2021, I finally received a diagnosis—"Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG)”, a rare disease that causes large, painful wounds. The moment I heard those words, I felt a strange mix of relief and sorrow. Finally, there was a name. Finally, I wasn’t just a medical mystery. But with the name came the reality—this was a lifelong condition, one that required management and care.

With the right treatment from my rheumatologist, my quality of life began to improve. Medications helped ease the pain, and I was finally able to move through the world with a little more comfort. But more than the medicine, it was my mindset that carried me through. I had already done the inner work. I had already chosen faith over fear. My diagnosis didn’t define me—it simply gave me more clarity on how to fight.

Through my journey, I found a deeper purpose. I channeled my experiences into creating “SoBeIt”, a women’s empowerment organization dedicated to helping women develop into their greatest selves—taking them from where they’ve been to where they aspire to be.

Mentoring Others

The idea for SoBeIt came to me during one of my journaling sessions. I realized that while I had been fighting my own battle, I had also been pouring into others. I was mentoring women, encouraging them, and helping them see their worth beyond their circumstances. And then it hit me—what if I created a space specifically for this? A space where women could come together, heal, grow, and step into their power?

SoBeIt was born from my pain, but it thrives in purpose. It is more than just a program—it is a movement. I have had the privilege of working with women from all walks of life, helping them rediscover their strength, their confidence, and their vision for their future. Some have overcome personal trauma, others have stepped into leadership roles they never thought possible. The stories of transformation fuel my passion and remind me why I do this work.

Looking back, I realize that every hardship I faced was preparing me for something greater. If I hadn’t gone through seven years of uncertainty, I might never have developed the resilience I needed to lead. If I hadn’t struggled with pain, I might never have understood what it truly means to push forward despite adversity.

Through it all, I’ve learned a few key lessons that I now share with others:

1. “Your story is not your shame—it’s your strength.” Too often, we hide our struggles, thinking they make us weak. But our stories hold power. They connect us, inspire us, and remind us that we are not alone.
2. “Faith is a lifeline.” Whether through prayer, meditation, or simply believing in something greater than yourself, faith has the power to carry you through the darkest times.
3. “Mindset is everything.” How you perceive your situation shapes your experience. I chose to see my journey as a lesson rather than a curse, and that shift changed everything.
4. “Support is essential.” No one heals alone. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, challenge you, and remind you of who you are.

Facing adversity

To anyone facing adversity, whether it’s a health crisis, a personal challenge, or a season of uncertainty:

Trust in God. Even when you don’t understand, even when the path is unclear, know that He is working things out for your good. Write down your thoughts. Journaling isn’t just about venting—it’s about clarity, reflection, and sometimes even finding answers you didn’t know you had within you. Be kind to yourself. Healing is not a straight path. Some days will be harder than others, and that’s okay. Give yourself grace. I share my story as proof that triumph is possible, even on the other side of hardship. What once felt like an endless storm eventually led me to a place of purpose, and I know the same is possible for others.

My name is Lasaunia. I am not my disease. I am not my pain. I am a woman who has walked through fire and emerged stronger. And if I can do it, so can you.