A Brooklyn woman suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease is trying to inspire others through an empowering portrait project.

Jodi McKee is a photographer who often struggles to make it through the day. She suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that weakens the joints.

Instead of letting the disease overtake her life, McKee created a photo blog that shows portraits of people with autoimmune diseases.

McKee met up with JD Davids for a photo shoot in Prospect Park. Davids has neuromyelitis optica, which affects the spine and optic nerves.

"Most of us struggle with insurance companies or government benefits, and it's only by banding together that we are going to move things forward," Davids says. "That's why Jodi's project is a great opportunity for all of us to come together."

McKee and Davids say there are many people who silently suffer from autoimmune diseases, and they hope the project will let them know they are not alone.