I live with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It affects all of my joints,
ligaments and eyes, ...basically all my moving parts. I was first
told I had this when I was a teen, and what was first thought of as
‘growing pains’ turned out to be RA. My doctor told me to start
strengthening my muscles around my joints. This helped tremendously
and I didn’t experience a flare up until I was in my late 20’s.
That flare up was like nothing I ever felt before. It was a quick
onset and in a matter of a month, I couldn’t walk or hold anything
in my hands. I was in constant pain and daily tasks were extremely
difficult to do. I felt like I had aged before my time, I was too
young to deal with this and I didn’t see an end in sight.
With the help of family, friends, my specialist and the arthritis
society; I started going to the pool and the gym. I started
learning how to walk and move in ways that allowed me to take care
of myself. It was a longer journey to let go of what I used to be
able to do and celebrate when I could do simple tasks again.
I’ve had my RA go into remission and come back again, and that’s
the nature of this chronic condition. I’ve learned about the
connection of stress and the body. Ive been a beginner level in the
gym more than one time, but I’ve been doing that over and over,
it’s just part of a cycle, life is full of start overs.
RA is not a condition that has a road map to understanding, it
makes you consider everyday what you are capable of.
Today I am a Canfitpro group fitness instructor. I am working
towards doing better in my next bodybuilding competition. I take
dance classes as often as I can and I celebrate all my small
accomplishments along the way. There was a time I couldn’t walk or
brush my hair, I am so grateful everyday, for what I am capable
of.
