Think Positive – People’s Stories
Living with a chronic condition like arthritis/rheumatism can affect you emotionally and impact on your quality of life. However, there are many ways of coping with these challenges. We have asked people with arthritis/rheumatism to tell us how they maintain a positive frame of mind and what techniques they use to help them feel better emotionally and enjoy their lives more.
To read their stories please click onto the photos below.
If you would like to share your experiences of living with arthritis/rheumatism and what helped you to stay positive, please email your story in English and your photo to the email: florian.klett@eular.org.
Wendelien (Netherlands)
For a long time I ignored my arthritis. I didn’t tell my colleagues about it. I feared it would be too much for them. At the same time it made me angry that my colleagues didn’t take my wellbeing into account. During a self – management course I learned how I could talk about my disease without feeling ashamed. Now my colleagues help me whenever they can, and I feel fine about that! I have much less angry feelings now than before.
Marios (Cyprus)
At first I didn’t tell to my friends that I was sick and I didn’t accept that I couldn’t do things as before. I didn’t take my medications and I was playing football even when both my knees were affected and painful. At the later stage I always tried to avoid speaking about my condition and when I was in a relationship I was feeling very stressed. I was very angry and I convinced myself that I don’t need any drugs to control the disease and I didn’t listen to the doctor’s advice. When I started to work as a volunteer to the rheumatism patients’ organization in Cyprus I started to learn a lot about the rheumatic disease and how to live with it. Now I feel very good! I don’t have any problems to tell that I have RA and also my friends and colleagues are very helpful and supportive now. I don’t feel bad any more to ask for help if I can’t do something by myself.
Ute (Germany)
As a singer, music is my key to keep me in a good mood. Being on the stage singing, or in the studio, even practising alone and sharing my joy of life with other people this way, is my goal for life. Most of the time I can ignore my arthritis and live a normal life, with a wheelchair of course. But there are blue and grey days. On a grey day I feel tired and frustrated knowing that I will have to live with my arthritis for the rest of my life. But I know I will survive and I just wait with hope for tomorrow.
Nele (Belgium)
I was only 22 when I was diagnosed with arthritis. Not being able to make my own decisions on how to live my life in the future, made me very angry. I was still so young and had made so many plans. It just did not seem fair. I loved my job, but had to stop teaching. It made me cry a lot. The fact that having children would be a problem was making me even more determined to have them. Today I have two beautiful and lovely kids. Although I have been very ill, I never stopped dreaming. I still take one day at the time, and enjoy every minute without pain. I stop thinking of all the things I cannot do anymore and focus on the things I still can. And that is a lot!
Albert (Malta)
I started feeling this pain in my right arm about 12 years ago. At first I taught it was fatigue, because my job was very manual, maintaining big printing machines. I went to the doctor and he sent me to have X-rays test. It resulted that I had arthritis in the upper part of my spine. I also suffer from arthritis in the thumb joints of my right foot. I have to wear adequate shoes or slippers, and even though sometimes it hurts badly. I also have arthritis in the knuckles of my right hand palm. This sometimes limits me in doing certain things.
I talk a lot about it to my family and friends. When I am feeling down, I say to myself: come on cheer up, you’re only a human being. Sometimes I slow when doing something till the pain easies a little and then I continue.
Mary Vella (Malta)
When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had to follow a complete different life style due to my condition, it was very difficult for me to accept this situation, both physically and psychologically. Before I was a very independent person, however, my arthritis taught me to accept and to ask when I needed help, especially when I couldn’t handle something by myself. The understanding and support from my family members, friends and all these people who knew me was incredible. This helped me to face life with a more positive attitude, which made dealing with my condition much easier.
Ona (Lithuania)
My name is Ona. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 33 years ago, when I was still in the working age. My son was 7 at that time and I was distressed as I understood I would have to live with RA for the rest of my life. The consequences were clear - disability. I am glad I have a nice family, friends and relatives, who understand me perfectly well and I can always count on their help. Now it is easier for me, as my condition is in remission. I am 65 and after the retirement I got fully involved in some activities trying to help people of similar destiny. I actively participated in getting together people with arthritis and in 1987 we have established in Vilnius the first organization of people with arthritis in our country. Our disease is still neglected and not fully recognized as a problem however, we are full of optimism despite that pain is a continuous companion of our lives.
I usually try to go to my summer house to do some works out doors and to listen to nature’s music around me. In winter time I have some readings of poetry. I have a lot of support from my family members; I feel their permanent help and love.
Lorraine (UK)
After my husband left 8 years ago I thought I would not be able to cope. I had Sam (my dog) to look after and exercise. With the use of my mobility scooter and wheelchair I was able to do this and meet old friends. Also I continued to work at a call centre which gives me the support I need when necessary.
I have joined several forum groups and lead a full and pleasant life. My advice: relax with a good DVD or book, go for coffee or lunch with friends. Shopping trips may help as well!
Ursula (United Arab Emirates)
I was born in Germany, emigrated to the US as a young woman and currently live in Dubai. From my childhood I remember my mother suffering greatly from Rheumatoid Arthritis and I always feared I would have it too. When I was diagnosed two years ago, I was not surprised, but I was devastated all the same, especially since the doctors seem to have a hard time getting it under control. I try to keep a positive attitude and have learned to live with my somewhat limited mobility. I have a wonderful doctor here in Dubai, and the ladies from the Emirates Arthritis Foundation have been my lifeline. They introduced me to water aerobics which has increased my mobility by so much. Without their support I would be sitting at home, suffering and feeling sorry for myself. I recommend water exercises to anyone with RA….I can see the difference it made in my daily life.
I just returned from a Trans-Siberian-Express trip, which is truly a once in a lifetime experience, and thanks to all the support I receive in Dubai I was able to enjoy to trip with very few limitations
Katrina (United Arab Emirates)
People feel sorry for me when I tell them I have arthritis, and I tell them not to be. Despite slowly losing mobility over the years, I have never had a “normal” life (being diagnosed with Stills Disease at 1 year of age) , so I don’t feel like I’m missing out. I now run a Model Agency here in Dubai. Yes there are days when I want to stay in bed and hide, but the early morning cup of tea and the medication helps too! I am on the Executive board for the Emirates Arthritis foundation and we're starting to make a difference.
The most important things would have to be my very supportive family and friends and the pure determination not to let arthritis control you. You only have one chance to live your life, so please make the most of it. Don’t let it beat you!!!
