Self Image and Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Does living with Rheumatoid Arthritis affect our superpowers?

We’ve talked before about the ways living with Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the way we view ourselves – remember the RA Self Definition Fairy? And maybe you read the blog about remembering the old me in the scrapbook before Rheumatoid Arthritis. Someone did yesterday – and her response made me cry.

My younger children barely remember the mom who did everything. I’ll often ask them, “Do you remember when we did so and so?” It’s no fun when they say, “No.” Thank God I’ve always taken lots of photos. And thank goodness for big sisters who remember it all.

The youngest one never saw me like a super hero. It was his birth that kicked off this little party called a flare that has been going on nonstop for the last few years. Roo never saw the Momma who dashed around the house like Flash Gordon. She worked alone, like Wonder Woman, but welcomed being the one whom others could depend on. Roo never had the mom who could plan endless perfect days for him and seem to make miracles appear like picnics, kite flying, treasure hunts, and green eggs & ham.

The people who meet me now have no idea who that woman is. They only know this lady with unkempt nails who walks funny and keeps talking about the latest RA medicine to be approved. I can’t think of a superhero like that. Can you?

You know what I miss? I miss respect. Too many doctors think patients exaggerate RA pain. Relatives think I take unnecessary medicines. And my neighbors just shake their heads about the lazy lady’s untidy yard and grimy driveway… I could go on, but you get the idea.

You know what I’m learning? To cherish more the way my kids love me just for being their mom. Yeah, I still grieve. But, most of the time I’m too busy cheering on real superheroes: my kids!

Fun quiz that has nothing to do with living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Like many women, I’ve always tried to be a hero to my family, never letting them down. I found this fun Marvel super hero personality test you might like to try. The quizzes I took said I’m most like Jean Grey or Spider Girl. My favorite was always Wonder Woman, but this was still exciting news!