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sensitivity, which means bright runway lights and flashing cameras can be a major problem for my health. That’s why I wear sunglasses at every event. One of the best things about the fashion community? No one ever asks me about my glasses. In fact, it’s considered normal. That’s in stark contrast to my experience in other arenas, where I am often made to feel like a diva or a freak. You can’t show up for work in a courtroom wearing rhinestone sunglasses, that’s for sure. Even when I’m minding my own business, running errands or at the airport, for example, some man will inevitably come up to me and make some comment like, “Super bright in here, huh?” Hilarious, sir. So funny. So original. I’ve always styled myself, but I’ve also started designing some of my outfits. Bringing an image from your mind to life is very satisfying. “Fun” and “play” are important components of mental health. When everything has to be serious and have a measurable ROI, there’s no room for fun. That’s what gets you stuck in sympathetic dominance. I’m not going back there. ML: You’re currently working on some creative writing projects and developing a comic book. What inspired you, and how do you hope readers will feel after encountering your work? Caitlin: Writing has always been an ambition of mine. I wrote a lot of poetry growing up, but I was told that I should feel embarrassed about that, so I was. Still, the dream of writing a book never left me. My current creative projects are still in progress, so there aren’t any release dates to share at this point. But there will be! Reading the stories of others is a great way to build empathy. I hope that when people read my writing, they will begin to understand what it’s like to live with a chronic illness. The Lupus community needs visibility. I’ve always been into cartoons. Sailor Moon is a favorite. And I love Disney, even though I was taught it was embarrassing to be a so-called Disney adult. The new me isn’t bothered by that anymore. I can’t wait to see the world I’ve created in my head come to life. I see my characters in such vivid detail. I see purple and glitter. But I also see a deeply impactful storyline with high emotional intelligence. There’s room for both. Women can love dancing and glitter just as much as they love debate and philosophy. I want to show people what it looks like to embrace complexity. ML: Living with Lupus means navigating unpredictability – pain, fatigue, light sensitivity. How do you strike a balance between honoring your body’s limits and nurturing your ambitions, especially in such visually and socially demanding spaces like fashion and publishing? Caitlin: I use the word “no” a lot. There’s always something more I could be doing, some event I could be attending. But if I run myself into the ground, then I’m no good to anyone. I can’t say “yes” to things out of