Category: Arthitis

What COVID Taught Me About Preparedness and Self-Care

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

I’ve adapted in simple but meaningful ways. Two parts of my routine that have changed are when I go grocery shopping—I now go during the day—and how I immediately wash my hands as soon as I get home. Since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which puts me in the compromised immune category, I’ve also become more cautious in public. I make a point to keep my hands away from my face when I’m out.

In February, I caught COVID for the second time. That experience reminded me how important it is to be prepared. Now, I make sure to keep over-the-counter medication on hand, just in case. These may seem like small changes, but they’ve become a meaningful part of how I look after my health.

October 6, 2023

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

When I meet new people, their curiosity about my physical disability is evident in their expressions. I push through any initial hesitation and focus on enjoying our time together.

Another incident that makes me feel out of place is when I receive unsolicited advice on how to cure Rheumatoid Arthritis. That makes me uncomfortable. Most of the time, it comes from a caring place, with people wanting to help me get better. What they don’t realize is that they are crossing a personal boundary in my life regarding how I manage my health, which is none of their business. They are treating me like a child because I refuse to accept their advice on how to handle my disability and don’t respect my decisions.

Most of the time, I ignore it because I don’t want to be friends with them. There are times in a friendship when a friend has crossed that boundary, and I need to tell them to basically back off. If the friendship ends, it wasn’t strong enough to begin with.

Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of unsolicited advice, especially when it comes to personal matters? If so, how did you handle these situations, and what lessons did you learn from them?

Prompt’s September 16, 2023

How often do you walk or run?

I need to make walking and other exercises a priority again and a part of my routine. That is my goal for October, and even starting this coming week.

I prefer walking, and easy low-impact exercising for my joints due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Exercising and stretching are one of the keys to keeping my mobility longer.

How do you exercise? If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis or a chronic illness, how do you exercise? What exercises would you like for me to discuss in a future blog post?

Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue

I have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) in all my joints. The one thing that can stop me in my tracks is fatigue.​ It can be very difficult to manage this symptom. Click on the link to continue reading. Please Like and Share too. Thank you.

I have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) in all my joints. The one thing that can stop me in my tracks is fatigue. It can be very difficult to manage this symptom.

What does RA Fatigue do?

Some days, I can easily get tired quickly throughout the day. People tell me everyone gets tired, which is true. RA Fatigue is different. It is like dealing with a dying device battery after using it for a few hours it needs to be plugged in.

I wake up in the morning with a lot of energy and then by the afternoon, my energy is draining away like a dead battery. Then I’m exhausted. There are times that I pushed through the fatigue to get things done before I take a nap.

Treatment for RA Fatigue

The best way to deal with RA Fatigue is to have the RA under control by medicine. That’s what I have learned. Taking a nap, when I need it. If there are tasks that must get done I pushed through the fatigue, and then rest afterward.

Other people with Rheumatoid Arthritis have their strategies for dealing with fatigue. For me taking a nap helps.

If you are battling RA Fatigue and nothing is helping you to manage your symptom, please talk to your rheumatologist.

If you have questions, let me know in the comments

.

Prompt’s August 11, 2023

I want to make a difference by taking away the stigma of accommodations for people with disabilities.​ Click on the link to continue reading. Like and share too!

What change, big or small, would you like your blog to make in the world?

I want to make a difference by taking away the stigma of accommodations for people with disabilities.

To bring awareness of the struggles of the disabled.

I want society to look at a disabled person to ask what accommodations that person needs to live a happy, independent, and successful life.

Prompt’s July 25, 2023

What would you change about modern society?

I would make accommodations available to the disabled community so that we can live an independent life.

Prompt’s July 7, 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis because I have it, ​and I know how it affects my life. To continue reading click on the link below.

On what subject(s) are you an authority?

Rheumatoid arthritis because I have it, and I know how it affects my life.

Dyslexic because I deal with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

The Bible. I am reading it, and I want to understand God better.

Writing. For years I have researched and read books on how to write a novel.

If I have questions or want to understand a subject better, I read and research things.

Learning never ends.

Prompt’s July 6, 2023

What’s your definition of romantic?

My definition of romantic has changed over the years. Now, it’s just having someone get to know me as an individual despite having a disability. That’s my definition.

June 23, 2023

One thing that gets on my nerves about being disabled. People try to fix my problems when I have explained why I can’t. Click on the link to read my blog.

One thing that gets on my nerves about being disabled. People try to fix my problems when I have explained why I can’t.

What do I mean “fixing my problems”?

When I have clearly stated why I can’t do something because of financial or health issues, then I receive unwanted advice on how to address the problem.

I understand that my life and my struggles are so different from able body people. Dealing with health and financial issues and fighting against a disease (rheumatoid arthritis) that wants to cripple me.

One reason why some people do this is because it is a coping mechanism. My life and their lives are radically different. Perhaps, they are comparing their lives to mine. There could be a lot of reasons why people are trying to fix my problems.

That I am a reminder that health is fragile, and that terrifies a lot of people.

I just want people to ask me if I need help, to respect my boundaries, and to ask questions. Also, realize that I am human with desires and needs, have a different perspective, and my life as meaning and value.