Meet Dionn Tunis
Never Did I Think... Yet Here I Am
Never did I think I’d lose my independence to illness. Never did I think walking, driving, or even putting on my own socks would become a challenge. Never did I think I’d need a walker, or that my mother would have to push me in a wheelchair.
But that became my reality after being diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) at just 42 years old.
My Diagnosis
For years, I brushed off my recurring winter bronchitis. Then in 2018, an X-ray - meant to check a spot on my kidney - turned my life upside down. The diagnosis: Non-Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP). I’ll never forget the surreal moment when my doctor Googled it right in front of me.
At the time, I was a dedicated social worker, a minister’s daughter, and active in my sorority and community. I did everything “right.” But illness doesn’t care about titles, service, or good intentions.
Telling my family was one of the hardest moments. Watching their faces shift to worry broke my heart. Still, they stood by me through every doctor’s visit, every medication side effect, every wave of depression, and the grief of losing those I love.
Shifting My Perspective
Thankfully, my pulmonologist pointed me toward the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). That changed everything. Through the PFF, I found more than information. I found hope, community, and empowerment.
And now…
I’ve gone to pulmonary rehab – and crushed it. I’ve worn oxygen in public – and kept smiling. I’ve joined support groups, spoken out, and become a PFF Ambassador.
And I’m thriving.
Living with a chronic illness like ILD is scary. It forces you to reimagine your life. But it also teaches you to cherish every moment. I’ve found strength in community, purpose in my music ministry, and comfort in knowing that every ILD journey is different—but none of us are alone.
If you're facing an ILD diagnosis - or love someone who is - please know this: you are not alone. If I can do this, you can too.
Watch My Story
You may find pieces of your own journey, or that of someone you love, in mine.
youtu.be/Yy2Ifx4UAbo?si=0Go9gry09dOtv9O2
Please consider making a gift today to help the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Your donation gives individuals like me something we can’t live without: hope—hope that one day we’ll find a cure for this disease, and hope that fuels our fight to raise awareness and support others.
The PFF and I are counting on you as we shine a much-needed spotlight on the impact of pulmonary fibrosis. Every gift brings us one step closer to better treatment, greater understanding, and—one day—a cure.
Visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org for resources, support, and real stories like mine.
Let’s keep crushing life—together!