For Dapinder, supporting research is about more than giving back, it’s about helping improve the lives of people living with autoimmune conditions.
Diagnosed with primary Sjögren’s syndrome in 2015, Dapinder brings both her personal experience as a patient and her professional perspective as a dentist to the Bionics Institute’s Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) Program.
If it means improved outcomes for others, I’m committed to giving even more.
For more than a decade, Dapinder has managed the progressive autoimmune condition, which affects the body’s ability to produce tears, saliva and natural oils. While there is no cure, she hopes sharing her experience can help researchers better understand the impact of the disease and improve outcomes for others.
“I’ve lived with the disease for 11 years… if my understanding of this disease as a patient can help researchers and subject matter experts in developing solution, even for one person, it’s a win for me.”
As both a patient and a clinician, Dapinder believes lived experience is essential to research.
“People who are invested in researching and improving the quality of life of people with these conditions, they need as much data and patient input as possible. They need to hear different viewpoints.”
Supported by her husband, Jagdeep, and inspired by her family, Dapinder remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute and help shape future research.
“Dapinder’s personal and professional lived experience provides a targeted and powerful perspective that enhances the meaning, impact and reach of what we do. Her extraordinary openness, expertise and generosity benefits not just the individual research programs she contributes to but supports the consumer and community involvement program as a whole.” Dr Sally Herring