Name: Lori
Location: Ronkonkoma, NY
Age: 44
Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2001. Also suffers from Fibromyalgia.
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How has your condition impacted you? Professionally, it has taken away the ability to work full-time which has resulted in my giving up a fairly well-paying job for part-time work. Because I am limited in energy, focus and physical ability it has led me to spend my time on the things that matter to my heart. Where I once worked in “Corporate America”, I now work at Non-Profit Agencies. Working with my church’s Food Pantry and The Foundation for Sight and Sound has allowed me to use my professional talents for people who need it the most. Also, it’s NOT 9-5, so I can work as my health permits.
Personally, it has highlighted how amazing my family is. When I let go of control of how everything gets done and allow my son, daughter or husband to help in their own way, they can be part of the solution. When my son was only 12, he helped give me injections. My daughter travels with me and helps me with all the crazy plans I make. My husband does dishes and shopping and ANYTHING he can think of. Empowering them makes us all feel better.
Finally, this condition does not fit my personality. It is painful and I am not one to wallow or “give in” when my body wants to stop. I am still not sure how to deal with it all. It is a continual lesson in acceptance and it has made me look at how hard I am on myself. No one expects as much from me as I do.
The impact on my life is a moving target but so far, I’m still taking shots!
What would you want people to know about your condition? Apparently, not much - It has taken me years to talk about what goes on in my body and when it does come out I am overwhelmed with worry about letting people down. Having said that - I want other people dealing with RA and/or fibromyalgia to know they can talk to me about what they are going through. Some of the greatest healing can come from sharing.
What would you want to tell someone who is newly diagnosed with your condition? Try and be kind to yourself. There is only so much you can do to feel normal. Keep changing doctors until you find someone who shares your vision for your future health. Whenever I am faced with a new barrier – a new joint inflamed, an existing treatment stops working, a new surgery becomes necessary – I fight with all my strength to get back to “normal”, but if the fight falls short of the mark, I’ve learned that by accepting the situation a new possibility will open up. The thoughts in my stubborn brain will change and answers will present themselves in ways that I could not have been imagined.
Lori's favorite quote: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -- Theodore Roosevelt
Thank you so much Lori!
