Who Is Teresa White

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  • Updated 7/1/18 - (This page was originally written on 5/17/16)
  • Well, first and foremost I am a child of God, I am a Christian, I am a Wife, I am a Mother to three amazing children, I am a loyal friend, and I am a dedicated, passionate business woman. 
  • I wish I could stop there, and that would pretty much sum up my significant titles, but in 2014 I, unfortunately, got to add an additional title which would be Autoimmune Disease Warrior.  
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  • I was diagnosed with Lupus (SLE), along with two overlapping diseases: Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
  • What is Lupus:  Lupus is a widespread and chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body’s own connective tissues and organs.
  • In short terms:  My immune system is trying to kill me :-(. If you would like more of a medical answer, please click the link:  LUPUS EXPLAINED

 Things I Enjoy    

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  • I have always been a very simple, easy-going person. I basically love anything outdoors whenever possible. My love for gardening and landscaping started in my early twenties. I love the sense of accomplishment to dig, plant, nurture, water and watch it thrive/grow; it is a very rewarding feeling in my opinion. 
  • I also love to go hiking, fishing, swimming; I use to be a jogger/runner, skating, riding my bike, laying out in the sun/going to the beach, and as silly as this may sound I love to laugh.  I thank God for my sense of humor; God knows it has gotten me through some rough times.  
  • I can not be outside more than 10-15 minutes without it triggering a flare-up, rash/hives and just all over sick feeling. As you can see from the above list everything I love and enjoy outdoors I have to tweak and work around and some I rarely get to do, except for the laughing and sense of humor part. .haha.  So, it has been a life-changing adjustment that you learn to work around as best you can.  If it weren't for my faith, husband and three kids, I would have already given up by now. I have had to find "new" things that I enjoy and can do. 
  • I have always been very private about my health until 2016, and I figured there was no hiding it at that point. Chronic pain sufferers will tell you . . . Pain demands your attention on most days.  
  • Once I started Sweet South Organics, I felt empowered to share my story. I had the hopes of even if I help just one person - I had no idea what God had in mind for me. I love getting messages of how I have helped people by sharing my story. If I can give someone hope and encouragement during a dark time in their life, well then that is what life is all about in my opinion. It makes the pain a little less bearable at times to know I can still make a difference in someone else’s life.
  • We are called to love humanity.

       
​ Brief Personal Facts

  • ​I was born, raised and still reside in cozy Georgia. 
  • I married my high school sweetheart in 1990, only a year after graduating.
  • We started a family very early on.  We have three amazing children, two sons, and one daughter. Time goes by so fast; they are now 19, 22 & 26. 
  • I grew up in Forest Park, moved to McDonough in 1990 . moved to Newnan in 2002 and lastly we are loving life nestled quietly in the Appalachian foothills in RInggold since March 2017. 
  • Business Facts

  • I have always thrived well in an entrepreneur type position my entire life and gravitated toward those types of professions.
  • I love the flexibility of controlling my own schedule and I want the opportunity to be able to showcase my goofy side in whatever I am doing. (haha, it's true - laugh more!)
  • I received my real estate license in 2006 and worked with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners during my 10 year career.
  • I am currently on inactive status and do referral business only with all my amazing past clients. 
  • After formulating some products that helped me out so much - I started my new company Sweet South Organics LLC in June 2015. 

       There is Hope - Stay Postitive

  • Soon after my diagnosis I quickly realized I had two options - one to give up/into this cruel nightmare or two to educate myself about this disease, fight it with everything I have and to live my life to the fullest each and every day.  I chose option #2.  Does this mean everything has been easy and a breeze? No, it has been the toughest battle of my entire life. Every day I struggle in ways no one other than my immediate family (or another spoonie) would understand. You can’t imagine the challenges and struggles this can bring unless you have personally experienced it and I would not wish this nightmare on anyone. 
  • My words of encouragement to a sufferer would be:  Hang in there, cling to your faith, find a good support system, do research of anything (herbal/natural) that can possibly alleviate some of the symptoms and journal where you go, what you do and what you eat to figure out your possible obvious triggers. (I know it can sometimes just be because the sky is blue that is why! haha)
  • My words of encouragement to a loved one, family member or a friend would be: Sounds simple, but just be there for them.  Just a text, call, email to know that someone cares and loves them means more than you will ever know.  They are still the same person you love, just with new limitations and trust me no one is more frustrated at it than the person going through it is. Be kind and patient you never know when your battle is coming; no one is exempt from any illness or disease. 

If you follow me on Social Media, well then you know that I am going to live my life, have fun with my family and friends as long there is still air in my lungs.
God Bless You All,
Teresa White
(Please join me on this journey - Instagram, Facebook and YouTube)
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