Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
OK, we've all probably changed ours several times through our fight with RA. So here's mine - what are yours?
1. Work until I'm eligible for retirement - which is 65-70. I'm 41 now, so with severe RA this may be a challenge. I pay extra for long term disability insurance just in case.
2. Be healthy enough to spoil future grandkids. My kids are 14-22 years old. So it may be a while.
3. Get back into Endurance competition. That's where you compete on horseback for 50+ miles in a day. I did it from 05-08 and stopped after super flare in 09. Can't use stirrups anymore due to twisted feet, so I ride smooth gaited horses bareback. I've done up to 100 miles over two days. I've just started back into training and am just doing 8 mile trail rides when the weather's relatively nice and I feel decent. So I have a looooooonnnnnggggg way to go.... and I don't qualify for Paralympics yet.
1. Work until I'm eligible for retirement - which is 65-70. I'm 41 now, so with severe RA this may be a challenge. I pay extra for long term disability insurance just in case.
2. Be healthy enough to spoil future grandkids. My kids are 14-22 years old. So it may be a while.
3. Get back into Endurance competition. That's where you compete on horseback for 50+ miles in a day. I did it from 05-08 and stopped after super flare in 09. Can't use stirrups anymore due to twisted feet, so I ride smooth gaited horses bareback. I've done up to 100 miles over two days. I've just started back into training and am just doing 8 mile trail rides when the weather's relatively nice and I feel decent. So I have a looooooonnnnnggggg way to go.... and I don't qualify for Paralympics yet.
2. To find my magic "cocktail of meds" to control RA. It is four years since dx and despite aggressive treatment from the start, I am still on a roller-coaster.
2. To stay positive and not let RA win.
3. To enjoy our grandchildren while they think Nanna and Pa are pretty special
4. To have fewer doctors' visits and medical appointments in 2014 -
2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 have all been over 100 appointments between my husband and me.
2. Face this disease with grace.
3. Exercise at the pool everyday.
4. Spend more time with friends and family.
5. Keep saving as much as possible for the future.
6. Never stop learning
7. Maybe teach one day.
8. Collect as many old records as I can. ( it's an addiction)
9. Hopefully be helpful to as many folks as I can
like lori, i feel like this is still too new to have redefined my goals. they had been getting my masters and finding a counseling niche to cater to, possibly in my own office. probably lgbt youth, gender identity issues, self-injury, abuse.
now? i'm not even sure about finishing my BS. i'm doing my internship for alcohol & substance abuse counselor certification. i will get that certification and then be a drug counselor. after that? i'm not sure now. one day at a time.