Comments on: 13 Ways to Help People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

By: Patty

Patty — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:03:16 +0000

Thank you for all of you very informative information regarding RA. My daughter has RA and I find this information very helpful to me so that I can understand what is going on with her health and how I can better help her. Choosing the right words and a good listening ear.

May God richly bless you in all that you do, and may your good days be may!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:06:09 +0000

That one would be great. I have a 2 1/2 year old and would kiss the feet of someone that would take her to the park for a few hours!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:02:07 +0000

Hi Linda-
I just wanted to say I wish I could give you a hug. I know exactly what you mean by saying you wish your family “loved” you more. Actively. I so so get that.

By: Linda Basta

Linda Basta — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:34:27 +0000

Enjoyment is right! There are so many times when I feel like some particular snack or even just food and i have to go without cuz I just can’t get it open. And my hands aren’t swollen. Just don’t work any more. when family’s home, they do come to my rescue.

By: Helena

Helena — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:55:08 +0000

I wish the whole world will be a Mr. Rogers’ RA Neighborhood. There are days that I just need someone to open a jar for my enjoyment: fruit jam, olives, etc. People look at me and can’t understand why I’m asking for that favor. Can’t see my swollen knuckles? I hope that 2012 will mark the beginning of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

By: Kylie Milne

Kylie Milne — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 06:04:18 +0000

I’ve had RA since 1998. I almost died 2 years ago from a syndrome associated with RA called Pyoderma Gangrenosum.My Dr’s didn’t catch it and when I was near death my own daughter, who is NOT a Dr., realized what i had by searching the internet. She saved my life.
Everyone needs to have someone advocate for them if they are not able to do so for them self.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:18:26 +0000

Hi Amy,
Of course I LOVE your idea. There is a post here about a suit. Of course the suit left out one thing most of us have all the time: pain. I guess it’s not considered ethical to cause pain – but we do practice waterboarding on our own Marines so they will know exactly what it is about. If a dr volunteered, I guess the suit would help him a little – but without the pain – not as much as we’d need. Here’s the link to see it: http://rawarrior.com/now-i-understand-abbott-suit-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/

By: Amy Fowler

Amy Fowler — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Kelly,
I wish there was some sort of teaching device that we could have people wear that would give them some sort of RA-like experience. Like they do in maternity classes, where they put on the apron on men to show them how it feels to do things carrying 25+ lbs, etc. Or like in a safe driver course they have the goggles you wear to simulate how it would be to drive drunk. Then maybe it wouldn’t be so difficult for people to understand.

What ever is created, it should be mandatory for all rheumatologists to have to experience it. Dr’s are usually more sensitive when they have first hand knowledge of the affliction.

If you know of something that exists please pass it on!

Thanks Kelly!

Amy

By: Linda Basta

Linda Basta — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:45:25 +0000

Feeling too sick to write much today. But thank you for the list. Wish I could add a few more and distribute it…
Just wish my family would ‘love ‘ me more. Love as a active verb. I don’t mean to be so annoying. Sorry, just depressed today.

By: RK

RK — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:13:11 +0000

Remind others, that shaking hands, can be very awkward and painful, with RA. I hug people instead and usually they understand after I tell them why I can’t shake their hands.