Hello! My name is Gloria, and I’m 15 years old. In November of 2024, I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) at the age of 13. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. This means it can affect any part of the body, causing widespread inflammation and wreaking havoc throughout the body. Fortunately enough, my lupus didn’t cause any irreversible damage to my body, though it does have a massive impact on my day-to-day life.
For a little over a year, I wasn’t sure how to cope with this new diagnosis. I was told over and over again that I had to be extremely careful, or there was a chance that my lupus would flare up again. As a result, I felt desolate. Nobody understood why I couldn’t do the things I used to love doing. It was a very difficult adjustment that I had to go through alone; no one around me could help much, since none of them had gone through anything like that before.
The first time I felt a smidgen of understanding was in December of 2025. I decided to attend the Auckland Zoo Day, hosted by Arthritis NZ, where I met others with similar conditions. After hearing their stories, I felt relieved, lighter, just knowing that I wasn’t alone, that there were others like me out there.
l had a great time there. During the Day Camp, I got to know some youth leaders and volunteers, who then recommended the Teens Camp as an opportunity to connect with people my age. I was naturally hesitant at first; the fear of being so far from home, surrounded by complete strangers, acted as a mental barrier. But then, I thought about that day at the zoo, how everyone was so welcoming. None of them knew me, but that didn’t stop them from treating me like I was one of them. Ultimately, it was their kindness and generosity towards me that helped me find the courage to attend my first ever teen camp.
The morning of the camp, I was buzzing with excitement. Camp was the only thing I could think about — not that I wanted to think about anything else. I spent the whole car ride to the airport daydreaming about what camp might be like. I thought about what the weather would be like, what people I might meet, the activities we might do, stuff like that. When we finally arrived at the airport, I started feeling a bit nervous. After all, it was my first time flying alone. I hoped for the best and got ready for the flight.
The flight itself went smoothly. Before I knew it, we were already in Wellington. There were a few youth leaders waiting for the Auckland group by the gate, and we joined them in waiting for the others to arrive. After everyone had arrived, we claimed our luggage and set out to meet the main group.
Upon reaching the main group, I saw that there were a few other teenagers already there. Some were exchanging greetings, some were catching up with old friends, some were playing cards. There was a very lively atmosphere that seemed to initiate new friendships and rekindle those forgotten. Everyone was present in those moments, engaged in one discussion or another.
The first activity was held at Coastlands Aquatic Centre. Some teens chose to have a quick swim, while others stayed back to play card games. Then we headed to camp, where we started getting to know each other better. Before I knew it, those “complete strangers” I was so scared about became some of my closest friends. We learned to rely on each other, looking out for each other at all times. I realised then that home isn’t just a place — it’s the feeling of being with the people you love. I reckon that was the most valuable lesson I took home at the end of camp.
The camp activities also taught me a lot. Rock climbing taught me problem-solving, crate stacking taught me patience, soft archery taught me determination, and bridge building taught me how to work as a team. Even the activities I didn’t do taught me a lot; they taught me that I would be able to do some things, but not others. And the thing is: there’s nothing wrong with that at all.
In addition to those lessons, I’ve also learnt a lot about managing my condition from the guest speakers. They’ve taught us strategies to handle stress, the significance of taking our meds on time, and most importantly — to listen to what our bodies are telling us. Dealing with a chronic condition is tough, and you’ll feel fine some days and worse others. So it’s very important to take a break when needed.
Overall, the teen camp has been an amazing experience for everyone involved. We all left beaming, with a newfound sense of confidence and lots of great memories. I am truly grateful to the people who have worked so hard to make this happen, their contributions are greatly appreciated.
