Throughout my time as an arthritis advocate, health & wellness blogger, and a facilitator of many online support groups for young people with rheumatic, autoimmune, and chronic illnesses, I have encountered many people who simply want to give up. They write, asking for advice, and my advice to them is, "don't." DON'T give up!
You can certainly live a full, fulfilling, exciting life even with arthritis or related conditions. Will it be hard? Yes. Do you face different challenges than a "healthy" person does? Sure. Does that mean you have to quit? NO.
You can dream as big as anybody else. You, in spite of your conditions, deserve the same as anybody else. While you might have to make adaptations or face more struggles along the way than the average person will, there are countless things that you can do just as well or better than anyone else.
Don't discount your life because of arthritis. Don't let pain steal your life away. You can triumph over it - IF you have the spirit and the will. Does this mean that a positive, "go get 'em" attitude will erase your pain? Of course not, that's silly. But, what it does mean, is that with the right attitude, you CAN at least improve your quality of life.
Do I like being sick? No. But do I do a lot in spite of my multiple conditions? Yes. Is it because I "don't have it as badly as you?" Nope, I'm pretty bad off in the health department to be honest. However, after a couple years of feeling low and down-in-the-dumps dismal about my ailments, I realized that I had a choice: I could wallow in my grief, pain, and frustrations, OR, I could turn a new leaf and live the best life possible despite my chronic illnesses.
They aren't going anywhere. If you have RA or a similar condition, you're stuck with it. (For now, at least! Here's hoping for a cure!) So, you can lay down and let the illness roll over you. You can let it consume you. Or, you can chose to live well with chronic illness, live well despite the pain, and take control over your life.
If you feel like you need help in this department, the Arthritis Foundation has great resources on arthritis self-management. There are also psychologists who specialize in seeing patients with chronic illness. Your local church or hospital may have a support group. And, of course, there are tons of venues online where you can meet others like yourself who are going through the same struggles - and who can give you ENCOURAGEMENT when you're having a rough day!
Good luck in your battle against arthritis or whatever disease you are facing - remember to be a survivor not a sufferer - and don't give up! Don't back down against arthritis! :)
Stay well,
Ashley
