Guest guest Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I just returned froma trip to the Bahamas. It was great, though at times I was aware of new limitations. The day before we left the spring break crowd started to arrive--healthy, attractive, vibrant young people. It was a bit depressing to see how far I've moved away from being one of them. But on my last night, I spied a woman about my age who appeared to have RA. Far more advanced than mine. The sight of her was compelling; I have met so few (actual) people with RA, that I wanted to study how she looked, how she moved, how she seemed emotionally and socially. Seeing this woman really affected my attitude; so what if I'm not a hot college student? I can walk well! I can use my hands! My self pity transformed into gratitude. Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Sierra, Thanks so much for sharing this! It's easy to loose perspective and focus only on ourselves and the challenges we are each going through. It's amazing how much of an influence our attitude is on our physical health - a positive outlook on life can really make a difference in how we feel and make it through the day. Beth > > I just returned froma trip to the Bahamas. It was great, though at > times I was aware of new limitations. The day before we left the > spring break crowd started to arrive--healthy, attractive, vibrant > young people. It was a bit depressing to see how far I've moved away > from being one of them. But on my last night, I spied a woman about > my age who appeared to have RA. Far more advanced than mine. The > sight of her was compelling; I have met so few (actual) people with > RA, that I wanted to study how she looked, how she moved, how she > seemed emotionally and socially. Seeing this woman really affected my > attitude; so what if I'm not a hot college student? I can walk well! > I can use my hands! My self pity transformed into gratitude. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 I think it has helped me a lot Gretchen, I work as a social worker in a dialysis unit and I think it makes me much more understanding/sensitive to my patients issues (adjustment to chronic illness, body image issues, loss of independence). Actually, I guess I am a little warped in that I feel I am able to do what I do and am the person I am ONLY BECAUSE of the CMT - I would be a completely different person had I not had to overcome (and continue to today) the challenges of CMT - and I like the person I am. I think my compassion, patience, and sensitivity would be affected. Don't misunderstand - I have bad days just like everybody else -- but recently have had to investigate some abnormal breasts masses and am grateful in some way that I only have CMT, the lots could've been worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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