Re: Ebony--understanding people

[Guest guest]

Judi,

Right. I can believe it.

I worried a lot in the beginning years of RA, spent a lot of time

convincing others because I wanted someone there for my disabled

child, to maybe take her to a park or spend some time with her on my

flare days. But I have now gotten to a point where I look for my own

support group, to surround myself with positive people, work on

getting better instead of convincing others I am not well, and just

adopted the attitude if you care for me enough, then there is no need

to spend time convincing you I have RA. i am not as " robust " anymore

as you described. I now look very fragile -- to my disappointment of

course. Yet there are still the nonbelievers and that's fine too.

LOL! Oh well, right. Like you I treasure the members of my support

groups and will be satified/grateful with that.

take it easy.

peace and healing,

Ebony

>

> Hi Ebony,

>

> Well, not everyone I sent the letter to responded in a positive

way.

> Some just plain doubt that anyone who looks as " robust " as I do

could

> possibly be suffering. They are the people who, despite being told

> that I am extremely sensitive to touch, insist on punching me in

the

> arm or grabbing an arm, or slapping me on the back. They are the

ones

> who make nasty comments about our handicapped placard, or rude

comments

> about how much medication we take. Even some doctors who are not

> familiar with the condition tell us that we are just fat and lazy,

> without bothering to educate themselves about a disease that causes

a

> person to gain weight and restricts our exercise.

>

> But there are quite a few who took it seriously, and they are the

ones

> that made the communication worthwhile. Of course, this group (and

the

> Dercum group I belong to) is the best source of comfort because as

you

> say, it is a place to go where people really do understand our pain

and

> concerns. I treasure each and every member of my support groups!

>

> Peace,

> Judi

>