Sandra Dalman Reaches Great Heights With Lupus

Show jumping athlete Sandra Dalman reaches great heights with Lupus. Video by Catie Staszak Media, Inc.

Sandra Dalman is an international show jumping athlete and the founder of Dalman Show Jumping. She has also battled Lupus for more than two decades.

While Dalman has been determined not to let the chronic autoimmune disease define her, she has also sought to be an inspiring Ambassador to others who live with the diagnosis. 

"I remember getting a magazine for Lupus patients when I was 17, and inside there were a bunch of people that weren't doing much. There wasn't anything I could relate to," Dalman recalled.

"I don't take no for an answer. I wanted to help other people see the light at the end of the tunnel, because I couldn't see one for a long time."

For individuals with Lupus, the immune system, which normally protects the body from infections, mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues and organs. The disease can affect various organs, potentially leading to serious complications. Lupus was once associated with a significantly reduced lifespan, but with advancements in treatment, survival rates have dramatically improved. 

"I go through good times, and I go through bad times. I might get more injuries than others, and my recoveries are harder," Dalman shared. "I can't do all the things all the time, and that is a hard fact of life. As I get older, I get wiser, and I get better at [managing] it."

Dalman credits her success to an unfailing resilience to achieve her dreams, stable management of her symptoms, and a tightly-knit support team. While she is quick to assert, "Lupus is still here," she has not lost sight of her goals to represent the United States on the world stage. Dalman has firmly established herself in the equestrian industry, widely respected for her ability to compete at the top levels of show jumping sport in North America and her keen eye to scout and develop young equine talent.

"Your journey might not look like everybody else's, but that doesn't mean you can't achieve your goals in life. It's still possible. I've gotten this far, so who's to say I can't keep going?"

Catie Staszak Media showcases Sandra's story in an inspiring feature. To watch, click here.