Life with RA

[Guest guest]

Kathe, you are right on the money with this post. Defeat doesn't finish a

person, quit does. Be a person with RA not the other way around. It takes time

to learn how to make adjustments and it does happen when you look for ways to

enrich your life. I have had RA since I was 52 and have had many surgeries and

many, many days when I allowed myself a little pity party. Who would have

thought at age 71 I would be starting a new career and turning a negative

disease into a very positive experience. I have been with Patient Partners for

3 years and love every minute of it. I try to teach at least 2-3 days per week.

There are 15 of us in the Toronto area trained in how to do an arthritis

friendly MSK screening. All of us who teach the programme have some form of

arthritis, mostly RA. Any chronic illness does mean changes in your life

somewhat but it can also be a rewarding experience also.

Hugs

June

"

I try to keep up with the things I did pre-RA as much

as I can. I have a handicapped card for my car so if

my ankles are very painful I can park closer to where

I need to go. You make adjustments. Try to keep as

active as you can within the limits of your pain and

stiffness, but the more you are able to do, the better

off you are in the long run. Keeping the joints

mobile is good as long as you don't go overboard.

Rest as much as you can when you are fatigued. I

think that Judi mentioned that before a day that she

knows she will be busy, she will rest for a day, and

then rest the day after the activity. That's a good

way to do it.

Don't let this darn RA take over your life is what I

am saying. Sometimes that is hard to grasp when you

are in a lot of pain all the time, but we have to

fight to be able to do as much as we still want to do.

I am 49, not ready to retire yet lol, and hopefully

have many more years to look forward to riding and

being as active as I can. Keep a positive attitude.

Hope that this helps. Take care -

Kathe in CA "