“I’ve had
rheumatoid arthritis for 22 years.
I can’t remember what it was
like without having pain every day.
I have had severe problems in my hands,
feet, shoulders and neck; though less
pain in my hips, knees and elbows.
Looking back, it’s hard to
explain what it felt like to be a teenager
unable to join in with sports and other
activities. My biggest problem has
been in overcoming the prejudice that
people have towards the disabled. Constant
staring is something I have learned
to deal with, but it’s still
hard when someone prefers to stare
at your hands instead of your face
when they speak to you.
It has been hard for my partner to
see me struggle when he does not know
what to do.The Healing Foundation hopes
to help educate the public to understand
better the life of a disabled person;
I give them all my hope, and support
their quest.
I can happily say that the surgery I
had on my hands changed my life. I had
the knuckles in both hands replaced with
plastic and the tendons moved. I can
use a computer, hold a pen, dress myself…up
to a point.” |
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