Comments on: A Message from a Young Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

By: Eevee

Eevee — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:45:21 +0000

This made me cry in the best way possible.
It’s so nice to know that there are people out there who genuinely care and want to help, even though they don’t have a chronic illness themselves.

I have a few strong fighters on my team, and this reminds me of a few of the things they’ve said – in particular, the idea that I already have to fight just to complete everyday tasks, so it seems unfair that I should have to fight to make myself heard or understood as well.

I’m only a few years older than Katie, but I really hope that I have as much compassion, empathy and fight in me as she does.
No doubt it will be helpful on my road to acceptance.

Thank you for the kind words and, most of all, the hope that people can understand without living with RA.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:51:34 +0000

Thanks Samuel. I’m very proud of the writer – my daughter. I do believe that both of my daughters (now grown) and my best friend Leslie really do understand as much as someone can who doesn’t have RA – because they saw it all happen to me with their own eyes – there is not ANY “well, it’s not so bad; maybe you are exaggerating…”

By: Samuel

Samuel — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:43:40 +0000

Thank you very much for this beautiful message. So often, we RA’ers complain about people not understanding, and not helping; it’s a great relief to hear that someone who doesn’t have RA themselves really does care, and empathize with, someone who does. Thank you!

By: susan ziliak

susan ziliak — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:21:21 +0000

Hi Katie,
I LOVED your writing, and am touched by your devotion to your mom!!

Sincerely,
Susan Ziliak

By: MichaelPatterson

MichaelPatterson — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:21:18 +0000

wise beyond your years young woman!

By: Tammy Buchanan

Tammy Buchanan — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:26:40 +0000

WOW! Your mom is sooo lucky to have such a wonderful daughter! I have a daughter your age and she is wonderful also and I can thank God that I have her to understand, although, I don’t really believe that anyone really understands what we feel like unless they have RA also. I guess the hardest for me is feeling so guilty that I can’t be the mom that I once was. I, too, never made my children do much and I really enjoyed being the mom that did it all. I can’t do that now and it is hard. Your mom is a brave and strong woman. I can see by her posts on facebook and here that she has been a great mom. Thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts about how this disease has affected your lives from your point of view. We forget sometimes that there are people that love us and are cheering us on in this struggle! BIG HUGS to you!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:27:55 +0000

Alice,
I’m sorry. That’s terrible.

And I do know I’m blessed. I did show your comment to Katie Beth. She smiled big.

By: Alice

Alice — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:43:15 +0000

My children are 30, 28, and 27. I get absolutely no help, unless I BEG or they need $$$ or the use of my truck, understanding is called “Stop crying and relax, you know it get’s worse when you’re upset!” then they promise to call back or come over later. I have yet to see later. Katie Beth you are a remarkable young woman! Kelly, you are truly a blessed Mom! In HIS Love, Alice :rose:

By: nygiantsfanatic

nygiantsfanatic — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:42:37 +0000

Again I'm moved to tears. Kelly, you are truely blessed with this girl of yours! Angie

By: Katie Beth

Katie Beth — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:03:06 +0000

Thank you all of you for your wonderful and encouraging comments! They were so sweet. About my age, my sister told me about a 17 year old who recently became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe by boat alone! Maybe kids are more willing to listen because they know how much you want to be well. It’s helpful to have someone understand when every day is either hard or harder. I wish you all well in the fight.
Katie Beth