WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY-
A post from my feiend Ryan...
World Arthritis Day and Why it's special to me. PLEASE READ!
by Ryan Pritchard on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:33pm
On Wednesday October 12th 2012 it marks World Arthritis Day. In honor of those who suffer any form of Arthritis we ask everyone to wear BLUE in awareness. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the young age of 16 months old. I was born a normal and healthy baby but got the JRA after a case of chicken pox. It started in one knee but as I got older it spread to every joint of mine. I've already had 3 major surgeries and will need more as my life progresses. Some days are harder than others. Some days I can barely get out of bed and walk to the bathroom let alone go out and live a normal day. But, after 23 years of having this I've learned how to deal and I make the best of every situation. I may not be using my legs for everything.. But that's why I use a scooter for my bad days or for far distances. I may need an extra hand occasionally but who doesn't need help with something? Arthritis is a part of me but it doesn't define me. It will always be a part of my life but NEVER will it BE my life.
Most days I hate having such a horrible disease.. The pain, disfigures, the medications, surgeries etc.. But over the years, I've met so many wonderful people who share this crappy disease. They have become such incredible friends of mine and I couldn't have gotten through many of life's struggles without them. You each are the ones who truly understand where I'm coming from. You have all gone through these things and we can help each other. I've also learned who my true friends and family are while having this disease. I've lost friends because they couldn't understand the JRA and just was embarrassed to be seen with me. Oh well, it's their loss. I have a wonderful and positive attitude and always see the best in EVERYONE. I know the Arthritis made me a better person.
One of the worst parts of living with a chronic disease was dating. I met a lot of jerks who couldn't "accept" me or who were embarrassed by me or who got sick of being with someone sick. I was called many names and stopped loving myself because of those jerks. But March 2010 God blessed me by sending me an angel, my Troy. He has been my rock these past 19 months and I don't know what I would do without him. He does so much for me and his love alone is enough to make me the happiest girl ever. One thing that will always stick in my memory is the day during the summer and my knee gave out. He walked me to my room, laid me down in my bed and covered me up. He laid right by my side and made me instantly better. Those are the little things that are the big things to me. I know he's my soulmate and I would do anything for him.
Thank you to those of you who are reading this..Whether you're old friends or new friends of mine. If you're an old friend then I'm sure we've spent time together where I was in bad shape but we made those times great times! If you're a new friend I hope this gives you more of an understanding of me as a person. But I always love answering questions if you have them :)
So please, don't forget to wear your blue :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee-------------
World Arthritis Day and Why it's special to me. PLEASE READ!
by Ryan Pritchard on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:33pm
On Wednesday October 12th 2012 it marks World Arthritis Day. In honor of those who suffer any form of Arthritis we ask everyone to wear BLUE in awareness. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the young age of 16 months old. I was born a normal and healthy baby but got the JRA after a case of chicken pox. It started in one knee but as I got older it spread to every joint of mine. I've already had 3 major surgeries and will need more as my life progresses. Some days are harder than others. Some days I can barely get out of bed and walk to the bathroom let alone go out and live a normal day. But, after 23 years of having this I've learned how to deal and I make the best of every situation. I may not be using my legs for everything.. But that's why I use a scooter for my bad days or for far distances. I may need an extra hand occasionally but who doesn't need help with something? Arthritis is a part of me but it doesn't define me. It will always be a part of my life but NEVER will it BE my life.
Most days I hate having such a horrible disease.. The pain, disfigures, the medications, surgeries etc.. But over the years, I've met so many wonderful people who share this crappy disease. They have become such incredible friends of mine and I couldn't have gotten through many of life's struggles without them. You each are the ones who truly understand where I'm coming from. You have all gone through these things and we can help each other. I've also learned who my true friends and family are while having this disease. I've lost friends because they couldn't understand the JRA and just was embarrassed to be seen with me. Oh well, it's their loss. I have a wonderful and positive attitude and always see the best in EVERYONE. I know the Arthritis made me a better person.
One of the worst parts of living with a chronic disease was dating. I met a lot of jerks who couldn't "accept" me or who were embarrassed by me or who got sick of being with someone sick. I was called many names and stopped loving myself because of those jerks. But March 2010 God blessed me by sending me an angel, my Troy. He has been my rock these past 19 months and I don't know what I would do without him. He does so much for me and his love alone is enough to make me the happiest girl ever. One thing that will always stick in my memory is the day during the summer and my knee gave out. He walked me to my room, laid me down in my bed and covered me up. He laid right by my side and made me instantly better. Those are the little things that are the big things to me. I know he's my soulmate and I would do anything for him.
Thank you to those of you who are reading this..Whether you're old friends or new friends of mine. If you're an old friend then I'm sure we've spent time together where I was in bad shape but we made those times great times! If you're a new friend I hope this gives you more of an understanding of me as a person. But I always love answering questions if you have them :)
So please, don't forget to wear your blue :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee-------------