Arthritis Kids Poem →
I found this really awesome poem from the Arthritis Kids SA Support Group. It helped me and I hope it will help you.
Do and Don’ts for Arthritis:
Don’t assume that because I look well I feel well. Looks can be deceiving. Many days I look great but feel terrible.
Don’t tell me you know how I feel because you DON’T. Two people with the same disease can feel totally different.
Don’t tell me ‘’it could be worse’’. Yes, it could be but I don’t need to be reminded all the time.
Don’t be upset that you can’t ease my pain. It won’t do any good two of us being miserable.
Don’t ask me how I feel unless you really want to know. You may hear a lot more, than you are prepared to listen to.
Don’t assume because I did a certain activity yesterday that and I can do it again today. Arthritis is ever changing. Each day is different.
Don’t decide what I am capable of doing. Arthritis does not affect the brain. Allow me to decide what activity I can participate in. There may be times that I make the wrong decisions, and if I do, I will know it soon enough.
Do learn everything you can about the disease. The more you know, the better equipped you will be to know what to expect.
Do realize I am angry and frustrated with the disease, not with you.
Do let me know you are able to help me when I ask. I’ll be grateful.
Do offer me lots of hugs and encouragement.
Do understand why I cancel plans at the last minute. I never know from one day to the next how I will feel. Arthritis is like that.
Do continue to invite me to all the activities. Just because I am not able to bike ride with everyone doesn’t mean I can’t meet you for a picnic at the end of the trail. Please let me decide.
Arthritis Kids SA
Interesting fact: people tell me that they don’t eat “carbohydrates” as they are fattening…
My diet is full of them and I lost weight!
Please Help Spread the Word Worldwide About RA/Rheumatoid Arthritis!
Be an Ambassador for RA Awareness: Please help by clicking on and sharing this simple campaign with links to this page via your blog or website, Facebook, Twitter or email.
It takes a lot to make me cry. The worst thing to hear is “Stop faking it.”
I’m not faking. I never do. I never did. I’m in pain.
I don’t cry easily from physical pain……. so this is me too!
CHRONIC CURVE: Weekly Link Roundup 07/06/11 →
- Reach Beyond RA— The UCB RA Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards exceptional students who take control of their rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and do not allow it to control them.
- Invisible Project — The INvisible Project highlights the day-to-day experiences of pain survivors…
attention chronically ill followers:
I have started a website/blog for all things chronic illness(specifically SLE/RA/endometriosis/chronic pain)/scoliosis with a sister-blog for science majors battling chronic illness. Instead of posting articles like my A Guide For Friends… here on Spinlights, I’ll be posting them (along with a ton of other information/resources/details of my own journey) here:
