The Art of Living with Rheumatoid Disease
by Dana Symons
Isn’t that kind of what it’s like to live life with a chronic illness like rheumatoid disease? We learn to adapt to our new life with its limitations, we work the most out of what we’re given, and we put a smile on our face. In short: we make this look easy. And, it’s easy for those watching us to forget that it’s not: that many of the things that were easy before RD take great effort to accomplish today. I think the lesson here is two-fold. For the friends and family of people with rheumatoid disease (PRD), it’s important to remember that we practice being positive and doing the best we can each day -- but just because we do something, doesn’t mean it was easy for us. We need support, encouragement and recognition for the hard things we do accomplish, and we need understanding when there are things that we simply cannot do. For PRD, we know well that people can’t always tell by looking at us what challenges we face, and how frustrating that can be. But, let’s try to give some grace, find opportunities to educate others about this disease and be honest about how it affects your daily life. Keep fighting and make the most of what you’re given each day!
"The important thing in life is not the triumph, but the fight; the essential thing is not to have won, but to have fought well." --The Olympic Creed, inspired by a sermon from Ethelbert Talbot