Avery White is 20 years old, a young woman who, despite her frail body, has shown a strength beyond her years. Weighing just 77 pounds, Avery has faced challenges that would break most of us. Diagnosed at 15 with gastroparesis after years of unexplained pain, weight loss, and constant vomiting, her journey took a devastating turn two years later when she was diagnosed with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Over the years, Avery’s body has waged a relentless battle against her own immune system, but her spirit remains unbroken. Her aunt, Paige Smith, shared Avery’s heartbreaking story of strength and perseverance: “Avery’s condition worsened rapidly,” Paige wrote. “At 17, she was diagnosed with lupus, Raynaud’s disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome, and it quickly progressed to catastrophic APS. Despite multiple hospital stays, and several more surgeries, Avery fought on.”
Despite all her suffering, Avery held on to hope, even as her health continued to deteriorate. She had to leave college and her beloved job at Restoration coffee shop in Wetumpka. She no longer had the strength to carry on daily tasks, and by January of this year, chemotherapy became her only option. Throughout her struggle, Avery’s family had something joyful to look forward to. Last Christmas, they surprised her with tickets to Rock the South, a music festival.
But just hours before the event, Avery’s health took another turn for the worse. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a series of tests led to the discovery of an enlarged heart, fluid in her lungs, a leaky mitral valve, and irregular heart rhythms. After being rushed to the hospital, Avery would face 57 days in and out of intensive care, enduring multiple surgeries and treatments.
Avery’s journey has been filled with unthinkable challenges—three mini-strokes, bleeding in her lungs, brain inflammation, and ongoing battles with lupus nephritis and organ failure. Yet through every trial, Avery has remained a beacon of hope. Her faith has never wavered. She faces every obstacle with grace, strength, and a smile that lights up every room. Even in the most difficult moments, she finds strength through her faith, believing that God is by her side, guiding her through the darkest storms.
Today, Avery is about to undergo open-heart surgery to replace her mitral valve, a necessary step to help manage the fluid buildup in her lungs and protect her life. As she faces this surgery, her family continues to pray for her—praying for skilled hands, a successful surgery, and a speedy recovery. Avery’s courage and her unshakable belief in the strength of her faith are a testament to her unwavering spirit.
“Avery’s journey is a living testimony that no matter how fierce the storm, God is with her, and she will not be moved,” Paige wrote. “She knows that her help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Through all the pain, through all the uncertainty, Avery remains a symbol of strength. Her hope, her faith, and her ability to find joy in the smallest moments continue to inspire everyone around her. Please keep Avery, her family, and her “dinosaur T” in your prayers as she faces this next challenge. Let’s lift her up in faith and love as she continues her courageous fight.
