Lanesa Downs – A warrior princess battling lupus

SHE’S determined and strong-willed, but importantly she has a fighting spirit that not even the fear of death could break.

Born and raised in Elletson Flats, St Andrew, Lanesa Downs, 23, led an active lifestyle as a child, one which would, in any circumstance, guarantee good health into adulthood.

“I loved sports and I used to swim. I was very active and participated in almost every activity — track and field, netball, swimming. You name it and I was in it,” she said.

So it was no surprise that after leaving Mona Prep and heading to St Andrew High School for Girls, she made a natural transition into having a balanced student life.

“I took part in most things at high school — student council, I was made a senior prefect, I was in most of the clubs and I was sports captain,” she said.

And when Downs started the University of the West Indies (UWI) pursuing an undergraduate degree in law, she actually became the protégé of her cousin, the then guild president, and was widely known because of her.

While at UWI in 2012, Downs was crowned Miss Law and remained active in swimming where she copped four medals at the UWI Games. She also swam for Jamaica from 2003 to 2008 and captained the swim team in the latter year.

But in 2013, when she started classes at the Norman Manley Law School, her life would be forever changed as she became very ill.

“I started to feel sick and I had severe joint pains. I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis and I didn’t believe the diagnosis at that time and asked her if she thought it was something else. She said no and asked why I would want to believe it was something else and assured me that this was what was wrong with me,” she said.

Being convinced by the diagnosis, Downs obliged and started taking the medication, but admitted that she stopped after she began feeling better as the side effects were no less than horrible.

“They made me gain weight and gave me a fat face. Now that I was feeling much better I discontinued them,” she said.

But in March 2014 Downs once more became ill; however, she was determined to get through her studies and stay committed to her school activities.

“These were different symptoms. Along with the joint pains I was tired, I had muscle aches. I went to school. My exams were approaching and I was the producer of SILK — a production at Norman Manley. I told my friends I didn’t feel 100 per cent but I continued, went to school and did what I had to do,” she said.

Amidst her determination she said the pains she felt wouldn’t subside, which led her to the hospital in April where she was admitted for five days and treated to no avail for the previously diagnosed condition. By May, she was readmitted to the hospital as she developed flu-like symptoms which caused her to forego an internship as it worsened, causing her to spend an additional two months hospitalised.

However, by mid-July, Downs’ worst fears were realised when a fresh diagnosis confirmed that she had lupus.

Lupus, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

“I was shocked. It was a blow. I didn’t imagine having this burden to carry, this load to bear while going through school. I was 22 at the time. I never imagined going through this life-changing experience,” she said.

Downs said by this time her health had deteriorated to the point where her parents would go home and not know if they would come back and see her the next day.

“At that point I wasn’t thinking about Norman Manley. I was thinking about if I’m going to make it out of the hospital, if I was going to see 23. I had this for life, no cure, and there was nothing I could do,” she said.

“The ward I was on had a system where the better you were, you were placed at the back as they felt you could handle yourself. If your condition deteriorated they would put you to the front to monitor you. A few weeks in, they started putting me to the front, then I was right under the nurses’ table then they started putting me towards the door and I said to myself, these people are expecting me to die,” she said.

It was at this point that she remembered her spirit of determination from her days of swimming and began to believe she was truly a warrior princess — a name she was given because of her tenacity displayed while swimming.

“I’ve never been a quitter. I got the nickname warrior princess as I would be the one to chase the person while swimming. Even if we were in second or third I’d chase to the very end to try and win the race. I’ve always had that drive and determination to never give up,” she said.

And so, she pulled on her inner strength and that of God coupled with her family’s support to overcome the worst — death.

“My mom, Pauline Blair, my sister, Racquisha and my father Eon Downs really rallied around me. My friends came on board and had a blood drive and Norman Manley went as far to adjust my stream so I wouldn’t be at school late. I had a good support system who would come every day to keep my spirits up,” she said.

Now waiting to be called to the bar, Downs said the experience has prepared her for the big race she will be going on with lupus as she intends to become a lupus advocate and attorney.

“It wasn’t the end, it was just an addition. So on top of me wanting to become a lawyer I realised I would have lupus to deal with, so it drove me to say I’d be a lupus advocate as well. It gave me an extra push. God gave me another chance. I could have died and I didn’t, which means I’m here for a reason. I wanted to finish with my colleagues in five years and that’s what I did,” she said.

On top of it all she also expressed a need to work with the health sector to see how it can be improved, offering that the treatment meted out to her was not always great.

“I encountered mistreatment from some of the nurses. You would think you’re choosing to be there the way they operate. I’d ask for a bed pan and sometimes I was ignored or had it thrown in my direction. One of them left me on the bed pan. I was having body shut-downs and couldn’t talk, and she asked if I was OK. She left me there and said she knew I could talk because she had heard me talk before.”

She added: “There were good nurses there. I have made a few friends, but I did encounter bad ones. I don’t mean to bash our health sector without wanting to help it. I really want to find some way to see how I can help the health sector.”

She intends to bring more public awareness to lupus through her support group which intends to streamline a few initiatives during Lupus Awareness Month in October.

With her sights set on working in mergers and acquisitions or conveyance and properties, she believes everything happens for a reason and that God never gives you more than you can handle.

For individuals faced with obstacles, Downs said her message to them is to never give up, be determined to go after their goals, and keep three things in mind — have your support system, pray, and you’ll persevere.