Would like to hear your thoughts

[Guest guest]

Well, I am a reader mostly, and find that the information and support

given in this group is great. I have a few things that I would like

to have your opinions on.

Just a little background.

I have had RA for almost twenty years, coming up next year. I have

had numerous surgeries, one just this last May which went wrong, I

got a staph infection. I am healing now. Phew what an ordeal that

was. Had to go off Enbrel and so have been in a huge flair for most

of the summer.

To mak a long story short, I am healing from a divorce which was/is

stressful; have moved four times in the last year; I am on disability

but need to have a part time job to make ends meet. I applied for an

Art Therapist aide at a mental health center which is two far to

drive every day, ( don't ask me the reasons why) and the powers that

be sound very interested. I would work about sixteen hours a week

with four ours on alternate Saturdays. I don't want to lose my

Disability so don't want to work to much and also, I am not

physically able to work all day.

My fear, and I want to hear your responses, is that I might not be

able to physically do the job. My knees are shot (need to be

replaced) and the job requires walking a fair distance once a day. I

know what you are saying, why did you apply? Well I thought that a

job could help me get my mind off my troubles. Help me cope a little

better.

Another problem is that I am finding it hard to find a place to live

in the town that the mental health center is in. I love the small

little town that I live in, (SE Kansas Flinthills).

Are any of you ever fearful of new situations because of your RA?

I just get so afraid that I will fail.

Also I don't like to gimp and limp around strangers. I am very self

conscious about my disabilities.

Sorry so long,

Thanks for listening.

Sherry

Kansas