Two of the scariest words in our language when combined? Autoimmune disease. My grandfather died of Parkinson’s disease- one sort of autoimmune disease. My father succumbed to three different autoimmune diseases- all simultaneously attacking his own body. My mom died of autoimmune disease of no known etiology. I probably have an autoimmune disorder already. My former partner has an autoimmune disease. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that I want to know more about these diseases.