HEIDI and others interested

[Guest guest]

I was reading your message about how frustrated you were at the man

that just didn't understand about RA. No, I don't have it but you all

know I pretty much understand because of . I was trying one day

last spring to exlpain to my daughter's Principal why would more

than likely NOT want to stand on his feet for at least three hours to

volunteer for the church Bingo. We send our kids to a private school

and the Bingo helps a little with the school. I realized she didn't

quite understand when she made the comment about how some of the

older people of the church that have " a little arthritis " come out

and help sometimes. I was very proud of my fist for not flying into

her mouth! I explained very little that it wasn't just " a little

arthritis " and that it was RA and it affected more that just the

bones. I didn't go into detail for time and my patience and my temper

would not permit. I didn't tell about it because he also does

not like for people to know that he has it. It is almost as if he is

ashamed. He's " too young, too strong, he's a man! "

But Like you said Heidi, people need to know more than what little is

known. I was on the arthritis foundation's website a while back and

seen this page on advocacy. May not be of much help to those of you

not here in the states but it may give you an idea of how to go about

getting more people to understand it. I am looking into become an

advocate myself possibly. Maybe that will get to be a little

more involved himself. I don't know if I put the link on here right

to where you can just click and go but maybe you can paste it.

I hope this helps anyone that may be interested.

http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy/ArthritisAdvocates.asp

Hugs to you all

Keri in MI

[Guest guest]

This is a very good idea, Keri. Thanks for posting the link to the

Arthritis Foundation advocacy information. I am an Arthritis Foundation

member and advocate. You can be involved in a variety of ways, and every

little bit helps!

[ ] HEIDI and others interested

> I was reading your message about how frustrated you were at the man

> that just didn't understand about RA. No, I don't have it but you all

> know I pretty much understand because of . I was trying one day

> last spring to exlpain to my daughter's Principal why would more

> than likely NOT want to stand on his feet for at least three hours to

> volunteer for the church Bingo. We send our kids to a private school

> and the Bingo helps a little with the school. I realized she didn't

> quite understand when she made the comment about how some of the

> older people of the church that have " a little arthritis " come out

> and help sometimes. I was very proud of my fist for not flying into

> her mouth! I explained very little that it wasn't just " a little

> arthritis " and that it was RA and it affected more that just the

> bones. I didn't go into detail for time and my patience and my temper

> would not permit. I didn't tell about it because he also does

> not like for people to know that he has it. It is almost as if he is

> ashamed. He's " too young, too strong, he's a man! "

>

> But Like you said Heidi, people need to know more than what little is

> known. I was on the arthritis foundation's website a while back and

> seen this page on advocacy. May not be of much help to those of you

> not here in the states but it may give you an idea of how to go about

> getting more people to understand it. I am looking into become an

> advocate myself possibly. Maybe that will get to be a little

> more involved himself. I don't know if I put the link on here right

> to where you can just click and go but maybe you can paste it.

>

> I hope this helps anyone that may be interested.

> http://www.arthritis.org/advocacy/ArthritisAdvocates.asp

>

>

> Hugs to you all

> Keri in MI