change the narrative
Diagnosis: Hope ™ is a line of outerwear and accessories with the purpose of bringing hope and encouragement to the chronic illness community; those who struggle with illnesses like Long Covid, ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and many other ‘invisible’ illnesses.
Often discounted as mentally ill, lazy, faking it, or as ‘It could be worse”, those who struggle with these illnesses often times feel like they have no place in society. But they do, and it is time we change the narrative from discounting these legends to seeing their epic struggle as real. Most designs are the original creations of Lee Lumley who is himself a Long Covid Legend ™.
In the summer of 2023, after his fourth round of Covid, Lee began having chest pains and within six months his symptoms had progressed to the point he was disabled and was diagnosed with Long Covid. As most do, he went through the roller coaster ride of emotions and found himself very discouraged, feeling like a failure, a nobody, and guilty for not being able to provide for his family, or be the husband he promised his wife he would be when they married in July of 2023. One night while at church his pastor called him down to have the church pray over him. With the church surrounding him in prayer, his first thought was, ‘Why bother? Nothing is going to change’ but then remembered something John Piper once said; ‘Don’t waste your illness’. He was then reminded, as believers, we are here for the sole purpose of glorifying God in all we do. This includes our illnesses. That is when he found himself praying, ‘Lord don’t let me waste this illness. Don’t let history remember me as a bitter, hopeless, man who claimed to trusts you, but didn't.
That night Lee decided embraced his illness and began looking for long covid swag online to show his faith to others. This proved a difficult task though, because Lee has never been a printed t-shirt kind of guy. In fact, the only printed tee he had was being used as a shoe polishing rag.
Wanting something catchy, but not cheesy, made it even more difficult so, having some experience with graphic design from his years as a musician and worship leader, and his talent for wors-play as a songwriter, he decided to design his own.
One window cling decal for his car later, he realized, this may be the 'all things good' Romans 8:28 promises in his illness. Maybe this might be the way he can bring in income and feel like he is contributing while still being disabled. He might not be able to walk more than a few feet without stuggling to breat, he not be able to handle most careers because of cognitive impairments, but he can sit at a computer and be creative.
The Diagnosis: Hope ™ lines are Long Covid Legend ™, Not A Victim ™, and The Invisible truth ™ and are all aimed at restoring dignity and purpose to those with stories like Lee’s while also educating others of the chronic illness struggle. The designs are created with a very high bar of acceptance; “Would I wear this?” and if the answer is no, the idea is scrapped and reworked until it changes to 'yes'.
Because of his steadfast belief in the need for awareness in the chronic illness community, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations which are helping those with Invisible Illnesses.
Often discounted as mentally ill, lazy, faking it, or as ‘It could be worse”, those who struggle with these illnesses often times feel like they have no place in society. But they do, and it is time we change the narrative from discounting these legends to seeing their epic struggle as real. Most designs are the original creations of Lee Lumley who is himself a Long Covid Legend ™.
In the summer of 2023, after his fourth round of Covid, Lee began having chest pains and within six months his symptoms had progressed to the point he was disabled and was diagnosed with Long Covid. As most do, he went through the roller coaster ride of emotions and found himself very discouraged, feeling like a failure, a nobody, and guilty for not being able to provide for his family, or be the husband he promised his wife he would be when they married in July of 2023. One night while at church his pastor called him down to have the church pray over him. With the church surrounding him in prayer, his first thought was, ‘Why bother? Nothing is going to change’ but then remembered something John Piper once said; ‘Don’t waste your illness’. He was then reminded, as believers, we are here for the sole purpose of glorifying God in all we do. This includes our illnesses. That is when he found himself praying, ‘Lord don’t let me waste this illness. Don’t let history remember me as a bitter, hopeless, man who claimed to trusts you, but didn't.
That night Lee decided embraced his illness and began looking for long covid swag online to show his faith to others. This proved a difficult task though, because Lee has never been a printed t-shirt kind of guy. In fact, the only printed tee he had was being used as a shoe polishing rag.
Wanting something catchy, but not cheesy, made it even more difficult so, having some experience with graphic design from his years as a musician and worship leader, and his talent for wors-play as a songwriter, he decided to design his own.
One window cling decal for his car later, he realized, this may be the 'all things good' Romans 8:28 promises in his illness. Maybe this might be the way he can bring in income and feel like he is contributing while still being disabled. He might not be able to walk more than a few feet without stuggling to breat, he not be able to handle most careers because of cognitive impairments, but he can sit at a computer and be creative.
The Diagnosis: Hope ™ lines are Long Covid Legend ™, Not A Victim ™, and The Invisible truth ™ and are all aimed at restoring dignity and purpose to those with stories like Lee’s while also educating others of the chronic illness struggle. The designs are created with a very high bar of acceptance; “Would I wear this?” and if the answer is no, the idea is scrapped and reworked until it changes to 'yes'.
Because of his steadfast belief in the need for awareness in the chronic illness community, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to charitable organizations which are helping those with Invisible Illnesses.