tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89918890244985964722024-03-19T04:53:57.257+00:00Young Arthritis NetworkOur journey living with arthritis ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-33070319765678200492011-08-16T13:07:00.002+01:002011-08-16T14:14:24.412+01:00Teenage Lupus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i><b>By Siobhan</b></i></span></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Aged 16<br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>A pain in my legs </i></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #783f04;"></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Can't get out of bed</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Lupus can really give you a pain In the head</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Fingers and toes nobody knows</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>How my life has changed</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>As the Lupus grows!</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>A red rash on my face</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Can easily come</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Just out of the blue to make me feel glum</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I'm sixteen years old</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>And I have been told</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>You have to live with Lupus</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Now I think that is cold</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The hurt and the pain</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Drives me really insane</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Steroids and cream</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Interrupting my dream</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>My stomach and back,</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Knees, ankles too</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>All get inflamed and I just can't do what I like to do! </i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Lots of worries and stress it can cause </i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>My school days are tough</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>This gets on my nerves.</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Lots of meds and blood tests too</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>And bones that all ache like I have the flu</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>But this is my life</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>And I'm taking it not</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I'm in control of calling the shots! </i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>And now that I'm here in Tallinn with you</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I've proved to myself theres a light there too </i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I might be sick and will not pout</i></span></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I might be down but I'm certainly not out!!!</i></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-6994450219276680342011-06-14T19:34:00.000+01:002011-06-14T19:34:22.161+01:00Remission or wishful thinking ?<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Medical Update: I feel amazing ...Virtually pain free minimal pain in wrists and no inflammation !!! Goodbye Arthritis <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Feeling pretty amazing at the minute ... words can’t describe the freedom & how it feels.For the first few days my brain wonders whats going on ... Pain free and moving hmmm this is new !!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><b> 3 weeks later .....<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Feeling flexible and pain free. Friends have noticed a huge difference especially my energy level’s which have reached an all time high. I’m doing so much these days I’m on a roll my brain is working overtime and my idea’s for the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/youngarthritisnetwork">Young Arthritis Networ</a>k are flowing .... Hmmmm I’m liking this new me !!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Still feeling great no inflammation ... Am I in remission ?? Oh god Am I in remission ??? maybe stop STOP don’t jink yourself !!! But maybe oh maybe...Stop stop stop !!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Forgetting what pain is like </span><span lang="GA" style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span lang="GA"> A very strange feeling in my body I walk with no stiffness- knee’s move loosely ... Freedom !!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDNqL0NhnXOyd3RN-r31hJXGE7XeJihnIfPOrdJbKH8ppmhYdGIEGhocV7rr4-eLZp9PXJVeeURac0vJeo9N_reMZ0YRp0SJuDx5eQIkmn_EgbyUHKE-aXpbZo2PaREAU1RV-u3UGrTE/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDNqL0NhnXOyd3RN-r31hJXGE7XeJihnIfPOrdJbKH8ppmhYdGIEGhocV7rr4-eLZp9PXJVeeURac0vJeo9N_reMZ0YRp0SJuDx5eQIkmn_EgbyUHKE-aXpbZo2PaREAU1RV-u3UGrTE/s1600/photo-4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGXSeHpPHsbEpNTsFOTeDi-3SECnah1QRPJkItgkGORz6OyHydNUdIonR_mU2Y4ru6m1muQoUJmfrK4NquGPw637AmDgoHeGoE4fYr7oNVB-9H5IoRcTLunJSTrBv0NlIKiCgDG_510Q/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGXSeHpPHsbEpNTsFOTeDi-3SECnah1QRPJkItgkGORz6OyHydNUdIonR_mU2Y4ru6m1muQoUJmfrK4NquGPw637AmDgoHeGoE4fYr7oNVB-9H5IoRcTLunJSTrBv0NlIKiCgDG_510Q/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No swelling on pointe :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Cleaning my room I discover my beloved ballet pointe shoes. I stop and cry it’s my weakness looking at them breaks my heart every time .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I nervously place my pointe shoes on and go onto pointe gaining more confidence I begin to dance and my body moves in a beautiful elegant way like the way it should unlike previous attempts. The beauty of dance I drift away into my own world – Best feeling !!</div><span lang="GA"></span><br />
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<span lang="GA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><b>4 weeks later...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Should I jink myself ... <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">I’ve felt pretty much pain free for the past few weeks ... I feel so good that I wondered what was wrong??OK I’m not a negative person & this may sound crazy but hey that’s never stopped me admitting things before so a million possibilities cross my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"></span><br />
<span lang="GA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">After six long months in physio I am finally discharged feeling stronger than ever before. Perhaps I’m really in remission this horrendous disease has left me .. We’ve parted ways .... my positivity has finally burned out arthritis. !!! Laura <b>1</b> Arthritis <b>0</b> -I’m FREE !!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLmrXcVuOf1qcfZdIh3IMwwpQuQsreqSlSdY7ssTDIOjyPG6p2EbFnzoe5Wy8m00g2XJDE5YRjoPDj8NzEEztxj4mNiVYloRUsDGUakgA1bfHJYvMf8kxsOw3HxLu-fprjhhERGZ0E1A/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLmrXcVuOf1qcfZdIh3IMwwpQuQsreqSlSdY7ssTDIOjyPG6p2EbFnzoe5Wy8m00g2XJDE5YRjoPDj8NzEEztxj4mNiVYloRUsDGUakgA1bfHJYvMf8kxsOw3HxLu-fprjhhERGZ0E1A/s200/IMG_0298.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brownies in the making</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="GA">So I meet one of my rheumy friends who finds my recent few weeks amusing ... She jokes “Maybe your pregnant & in remission?” Ha ha ha ha ha oh.... shit !!!? Her joke was enough to make question myself.... 10 second panic station averted !! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"></span><br />
<span lang="GA"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><b>5 weeks later...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA">Things are changing I’m doing so much I’ve completed the </span><span lang="GA"><a href="ttp://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.213527485353996.57044.151523674887711">Flora Mini Marathon</a></span><span lang="GA"> for Arthritis Ireland & I’ve started </span><span lang="GA">Yoga classes</span><span lang="GA">. I’m also back cooking & baking ..nom nom nom !!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS65aPAXCO-7ojFrG1fiO3gbWyM36KfcdziPtM_CkkQcn4BZ-CpAv0TPQwkpb296xAU2O7RswCS44_sKEdRJKcMMZVNZF34UdQODYC_LvVJJMUf9qXRbEanz7fEHBn0YwwWTNRxpRQT78/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS65aPAXCO-7ojFrG1fiO3gbWyM36KfcdziPtM_CkkQcn4BZ-CpAv0TPQwkpb296xAU2O7RswCS44_sKEdRJKcMMZVNZF34UdQODYC_LvVJJMUf9qXRbEanz7fEHBn0YwwWTNRxpRQT78/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Young Arthritis </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Still feeling like a new person .... long may it last !!!-WINNING .....</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-87598042034052228292011-05-22T11:46:00.001+01:002011-05-22T11:50:39.828+01:00RA superhero climbs Everest<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Have you heard of Jeffrey Gottfurcht???After reading this you’ll never forget the name. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">On 14</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">th</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> of May 2011 Jeffrey Gottfurcht reached 30,000ft to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>TOP OF THE</b> <b>WORLD</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> Mt. Everest but this is not what makes him unique on May 14</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">th</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> he became the first person with Rheumatoid Arthritis to reach the top of Everest.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Diagnosed with RA at the age of 28 his diagnosis didn’t stop him . He become an advocate for people with arthritis furthermore he is the founder of </span></span><a href="http://www.jgcaf.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The Jeffrey Gottfurcht Children’s Arthritis Foundation</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Everest is like the Olympics of climbing, which many sportspeople aspire to reach. An uphill battle & a challenge many will never attempt but not Jeffrey Gottfurcht. He didn’t let RA take him down nor did he give up on something he loved instead this man did the unimaginable he went above and beyond to the top of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YOoUXT3fm06rvD4q60dnXJFQmO02rPrY6P4KQSB6qexw_LK15TDAsgHVmdkG8ki87gGG4hMVEQ9T0dCEkVR6w7ZmHmcQGOsWCuygIGEiQdp0e1hSSZVKWyLIkrvNvwoQAf09wr62hp4/s1600/+everst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YOoUXT3fm06rvD4q60dnXJFQmO02rPrY6P4KQSB6qexw_LK15TDAsgHVmdkG8ki87gGG4hMVEQ9T0dCEkVR6w7ZmHmcQGOsWCuygIGEiQdp0e1hSSZVKWyLIkrvNvwoQAf09wr62hp4/s320/+everst.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The road to Everest is tough it requires many years of training according to </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Taylor-Trekking/10000141891711"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Ian Taylor</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> the youngest Irish person to climb Everest .The statistics are not exactly positive with 1 person in every 10 who make it failing to return. As one moves from base camp 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 oxygen levels decrease and Ian Taylor describes a basic task as difficult a simple walk across the room can take up to 5 minutes (sound familiar??). At altitude our body becomes weaker we are exposed to risks such as acute mountain sickness, pulmonary edema, ataxia, blood clotting and the </span></span><a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/everestbeyond/altitude/altitude.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">list </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">goes on</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> so for a person with RA to undertake this challenge in my opinion is nothing short of amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIPw7R6XunhOi6lNKWxpCnM30gVm1FoiuRp85-aAuuR84TxfHPFRPh7BKlRkmHMUrqZJAa8l09rZYX-2HbHouIU48goLq2sgB5ZYFTkoe9_Gy4Yq0uD-yuyNiF8mOOrVit5zo_D4MVPo/s1600/jeffrey+gottfurcht.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIPw7R6XunhOi6lNKWxpCnM30gVm1FoiuRp85-aAuuR84TxfHPFRPh7BKlRkmHMUrqZJAa8l09rZYX-2HbHouIU48goLq2sgB5ZYFTkoe9_Gy4Yq0uD-yuyNiF8mOOrVit5zo_D4MVPo/s320/jeffrey+gottfurcht.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">I don’t have to tell anyone that living with arthritis can be a struggle. It’s not easy we’ve all had mornings when our body won’t allow us to leave our bed let alone move an inch so when I heard a guy with RA was going to take on Everest I honestly thought it couldn’t be true. Instead of looking at his disease as barrier he thought of it as a challenge to overcome. The sheer challenge of Everest is unimaginable just think climbing as oxygen levels decrease, the body becomes weaker it slows down but top this with RA challenging is an underestimation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">So his motivation behind this trip a selfless act to make a difference to the lives of children with Juvenile Arthritis by raising awareness of his charity the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jeffrey Gottfurcht Children’s Arthritis Foundation a make a wish foundation for children with JA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Some people are born to make a difference & this man is definitely one – a modern day superhero. One man has broken down barriers & given hope to people worldwide with RA . He is an amazing advocate, one which the arthritis community is proud to have.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">On a personal note I’ve followed this journey closely & when I found out Jeffrey had reached the top I’ll admit it I cried & cried with happiness. To say it’s touched my life is an understatement it’s done much more than this it’s given me hope that my dreams are achievable now more than ever & if I work hard I’ll achieve them.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Jeffrey from the Young Arthritis Network we salute & thank you ...What an incredible journey.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial;">“There are no borders, no limits and no frontier. Just keep moving, and do exactly what you set out to do.”</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Arial Italic';">–<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Arial Italic';">Jeffrey Gottfurcht.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.nutrapharma.com/blog/2011/02/28/interview-with-jeffrey-gottfurcht-mountain-climber-extraordinaire/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A details interview with before his journey</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"></span></span></b></div><b></b><br />
<b><h2 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: -4px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-spacing: 2px;"><strong><a href="http://jgcaf.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">More info on JGCAF</span></span></a></strong></h2><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Images are not my own copyright @ </span><a href="http://www.nutrapharma.com/blog/2011/02/28/interview-with-jeffrey-gottfurcht-mountain-climber-extraordinaire/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Nutrapharma</span></a></div></b><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-70367274850069235852011-05-18T20:34:00.000+01:002011-05-18T20:34:51.626+01:00My Rheumy<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWvKSuaBUKEA6fTBZoC9kuh61CxDuJ6Czp90XIj1A8m-K5jnppHMVyebTTwmYpvDW0kNRGN8DnF05Zjl9MwaWSBctCDCUlqajT7Wprhs-hdASpywtONPVBDCiAVCMguHjiq1i05BTZ_U/s1600/doctors+appointment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWvKSuaBUKEA6fTBZoC9kuh61CxDuJ6Czp90XIj1A8m-K5jnppHMVyebTTwmYpvDW0kNRGN8DnF05Zjl9MwaWSBctCDCUlqajT7Wprhs-hdASpywtONPVBDCiAVCMguHjiq1i05BTZ_U/s200/doctors+appointment.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">This week, I had my visit to the Rheumy for my routine check up as the days approached I began to think of how far I’ve come. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the overall scheme of things I’ve done more than I ever thought was possible. Each day I push myself to be the best that I can be. Don’t get me wrong there are certainly times when I throw a total diva strop about having to do those evil injections & about arthritis in general but for the most part my mission is to live life to the full.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">So as the appointment date get’s closer I begin to evaluate the past few months. I always write a list of questions that I would like to ask & like most people I glance at the calendar to see how I’ve been feeling.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In my mind I built a big picture of how fantastic I feel & I’ve even managed to erase the bad days from my mind. Looking at the evidence in front me I had no option but to face up to reality I’ve my fair share of bad days. My mission - to go into my Rheumy with three little words "<b>I’m doing great</b>" but unfortunately that won’t be today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">“We must rediscover the distinction between hope and expectation.”<br />
~Ivan Illich</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heading to the appointment I build myself up I’m not sure what I'm expecting but after my appointment I feel deflated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my mind I went thinking as I always do with that expectation that my Rheumy has all the answers including the one whereby I receive the magic potion where I’m free from arthritis. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No matter how many time’s I’ve seen my rheumy over the years I still leave disappointment and please don’t get me wrong my rheumy is fantastic he’s given me a new lease of life but I always leave feeling deflated. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I ask myself why I fell like this? Is it because for many years I was told I would grow out of JA ?Do I expect too much?Or maybe I forget my rheumy is not god he doesn’t have all the answers or at least the one I’m looking for the big C – Cure .</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Am I alone in feeling like this ???</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-28519276008149917442011-04-17T11:47:00.003+01:002011-04-18T19:01:13.529+01:00Spinning the airwaves<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a crazy couple of weeks but crazy in a wonderful way. Last week myself & Ann Marie Brennan got to head down to Spin 103.8 Dublin’s trendy radio station. We got a fantastic opportunity to hit the airwaves and create some awareness of our invisible disease Rheumatoid Arthritis.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3ziuGdcUeC2zCuq3HLokbA89y77_XX_uSe4CiUfYRjT5fWYcUlZL4SdqUcvdvOnkX3p3ZQEcyGUUD7NwivA8dcbBNN-WFV1F0CUnmPi2uE_OkCXZiLqMSZ0kfSNHOds3XQV3DvyGZ0U/s1600/Spin+1038+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3ziuGdcUeC2zCuq3HLokbA89y77_XX_uSe4CiUfYRjT5fWYcUlZL4SdqUcvdvOnkX3p3ZQEcyGUUD7NwivA8dcbBNN-WFV1F0CUnmPi2uE_OkCXZiLqMSZ0kfSNHOds3XQV3DvyGZ0U/s200/Spin+1038+logo.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A mixture of excitement and nerves on our way to the studio. I’ve done a few media interviews but Spin 103.8 is the station that many of my friends listen to so the pressure was on. I know many of my friends listen in at work so I was feeling a little nervous.</span><br />
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</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived into the studio to meet Jonathan & Claire on their daily talk show “The Spin”. We spoke into what can be described as the microphone from the Band Aid video and before we knew it time had flown by and we had finished our interview. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you missed us on the show last week don't worry here's your chance to listen .See below :)</span><br />
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</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the interview someone asked me why I do interviews? The answer took me by surprise you see to me it obvious . I’ve lived with a disease that while people heard of Arthritis they know very little about it or the impact that it has on the lives of the many young people. For many years I felt alone that I was the only young person to have arthritis and if I wasn’t the only one where are these so called “young people” their not in the clinic when I see my Rheumy , their not at my physio sessions so where are they?? In fact do they exist?? 14 years after my diagnosis I met the first person my age with arthritis so why do I do this because I never want any young person to feel alone ever again. I want each and every person who’s diagnosed to know the Young Arthritis Network exists & they are not alone .</span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-4331656857362802822011-03-15T21:02:00.004+00:002011-04-17T12:18:30.628+01:00Little things make a difference<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I living the life I want ? If im honest I feel like I’m missing out on living the life of an average 20 something .. So I’ve asked myself why am I not ? Is it the illness or is it me?? The answer it’s a mixture of both.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What’s stopping me ?? I’m tired sometimes when I’m in pain I lose the get up & go which if left it becomes a routine. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve had arthritis for so long sometimes I naively think I know it all in relation to my own health but I fall into the trap of “ I CAN’T” so I decided enough is enough.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyone who is “stuck“ in a routine whether they have arthritis or not will become tired & bored so I’ve ditched my old lifestyle & begun changing things that I can’t do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve become interested in positive psychology & how this can benefit someone with a chronic illness. I’ve surrounded myself around positive people and I’ve really noticed a HUGE change I even notice a difference in how I analyze things. Is something really impossible? Why is it impossible? What can I do to get to where I want to go ? So now my end result to quote a very famous builder “ Can we do it? Yes we can”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93R7J8CcNp6yY6bKRsWqzWkYplH4dn6bn7gNrPCRHBLaZ0UU0AXlkmFncNI9OOMNZq6vbVycEGHg68kFBxnbBvh0BB_JTR-2xAqLFjUcE4R2WdTNTwcDiSMUEmR_oWdwZEdfgLC3LM5Y/s1600/road2success.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93R7J8CcNp6yY6bKRsWqzWkYplH4dn6bn7gNrPCRHBLaZ0UU0AXlkmFncNI9OOMNZq6vbVycEGHg68kFBxnbBvh0BB_JTR-2xAqLFjUcE4R2WdTNTwcDiSMUEmR_oWdwZEdfgLC3LM5Y/s320/road2success.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So to bring this into perspective how can this affect my life & my health?! I’ve looked at a few area’s which on a daily basis affect me….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I CAN’T do this because ….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Problem A:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can’t do the shopping because it’s so heavy & Im tired …..then when I get home I’m simply exhausted so I call the local take away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So Monday I went shopping & over came my fear of grocery shopping. I struggle to do the weekly shop so usually I pick up a few bits on my way from work because I can’t get carry the bags or lift the basket. So I got a trolley which I filled up with loads of fresh fruit, veg ,& fish. After I checked it out I also overcame the second obstacle & asked one of the shop assistants would they help me bring it to the car which was no problem at all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ohhh I felt some level of achievement by Friday I had cooked a healthy meal each evening. I also picked up a few healthy snacks because I knew I had a busy week ahead so I avoided snacking or becoming over hungry and calling for a take away. By Tuesday I had soooo much more energy but I also knew that Wednesday I wouldn’t be home until 8 so I make a super yummy curry for the following day .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX78zg7bGDigVpCIemj8hrWzcIHpJy4u5qJi9-mJihCH5b8D5FowUAzhXT-I72X_ve8DmoCT9l6hB2KA68uWoIFEbymsn-xAV-dI2ZQ4VrYDq2V_RfEtVmRZC5f7Ob1lkVJYHYPkUiOQ/s1600/success-sign3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX78zg7bGDigVpCIemj8hrWzcIHpJy4u5qJi9-mJihCH5b8D5FowUAzhXT-I72X_ve8DmoCT9l6hB2KA68uWoIFEbymsn-xAV-dI2ZQ4VrYDq2V_RfEtVmRZC5f7Ob1lkVJYHYPkUiOQ/s1600/success-sign3.jpg" /></span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Problem B:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I CAN’T do exercise it hurts my body… well I haven’t the time by the time I get home I’m so tired and then it costs a fortune to join the gym. So join a class ? Well em I’m too afraid to go to an exercise class because of my limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enough is enough this excuse is rubbish even if I do say so myself…. Let’s get to reality here I’m never going to be a gym freak it’s soooo not for me but I can get fit & healthy which is what I wanna do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m tired well duh of course you are who wouldn’t feel tired when your lazing about on the couch watching tv- my arthritis has nothing to do with this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what can I do to change this? Split up the exercise into mini sections I’ve split walking into two parts 3km to work in the morning & 3km on the way back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really wanna do yoga class but I don’t think I’m strong enough just yet so I asked my physiotherapist to help me out she suggests I buy an exercise ball to help build up my muscles etc….So off I went to buy an exercise ball. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what before dinner is prep’d or while it’s cooking I’ve managed to do 30 min of exercises each day for the past two weeks it’s helped I’ve done it all before soaps start & I’ve blasted a few tunes out to keep the motivation going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve also got the </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=151523674887711&aid=44947"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Young Arthritis Walking group</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on the go so I’ll have more motivation to get going. I’ve even signed up for </span></span><a href="http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=138"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joints in Motio</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">n & the </span></span><a href="http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=144"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini marathon</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> so nothings stopping me now because I'm doing it for myself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next week I plan on going swimming initially I would like to go once a week. So I’ve arranged a swimming buddie so I'll have more motivation to actually go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IMaafMSBY9DyM2mGmV7_LW-JWVRSZzCLmxGLB3FbhrODXiB6iIkX7yAzA4j8VMFN9i4jLJSfMUm3uCpb-AdaqBcI5qCzgFf-oN9buIg3lhck-bnc-55brofikjFJh66gjOYs7huX_eU/s1600/success.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IMaafMSBY9DyM2mGmV7_LW-JWVRSZzCLmxGLB3FbhrODXiB6iIkX7yAzA4j8VMFN9i4jLJSfMUm3uCpb-AdaqBcI5qCzgFf-oN9buIg3lhck-bnc-55brofikjFJh66gjOYs7huX_eU/s320/success.jpg" width="320" /></span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By making both of these changes it’s made such a difference to my life over the past two weeks. I have sooooooooo much more energy in fact for the first time in a very long time I feel ALIVE in the sense I could do anything. I’ve noticed I’m in less pain now I’ve still got pain but I have noticed a reduction.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So with all this energy I was able to spend more time living the life of an average 20 something year old.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Apple Casual'; font-size: 16pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Apple Casual'; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/YoungArthritisNetwork">Like us on Facebook </a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Apple Casual'; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"><a href="mailto:youngarthritis@arthritisireland.ie">Email me</a></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-87376264269295719852011-02-14T17:56:00.000+00:002011-02-14T17:56:36.505+00:00Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2plggfS3QCx_CVrKkPfc2SmPTVgU6uo0ST67Ry6hiRcGj2bI7-m0OeFoe3EK3sbJBDiAU4CehzKZ9p2pzLALHqY7Z7HB0a7kM6VO0pRDiUcyrH3eyBb5SKzQqkCM8s_xDZU0WHSqniz4/s1600/couple-valentines-day-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2plggfS3QCx_CVrKkPfc2SmPTVgU6uo0ST67Ry6hiRcGj2bI7-m0OeFoe3EK3sbJBDiAU4CehzKZ9p2pzLALHqY7Z7HB0a7kM6VO0pRDiUcyrH3eyBb5SKzQqkCM8s_xDZU0WHSqniz4/s1600/couple-valentines-day-.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valentine's Day the day to buy cards and presents... but for me Valentine's Day represents something else. Each year all I want is to spend quality time with my other half most of my friends think I'm crazy when I say that I really and truly do not want a present.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All I want is time to be with my boyfriend because time is precious anybody with any kind of long term illness will tell you that quality time with a loved one whether it be your partner , family or friends is valuable. When you calculate all the time we've lost either because of fatigue or illness it can really stack up and sometimes I feel like I'm missing valuable moments because there is no where I'd rather be than by his side but this is not always possible.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So each Valentine's Day myself and my boyfriend make a point of spending the day together doing something we both love for me is worth it's weight in gold. It gives me chance to feel "normal" to forget all my worries and become carefree for just one day. Valentine's Day is also a day when I let my boyfriend know how much I appreciate every little thing he does . All to often we take the little things our loved one's do for granted it becomes the norm and we forget to say a special thank you to those </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">whom we are closest.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know my boyfriend has had a sacrifice certain things because I am unable to do everything but he never complains about it in fact he is one in a million a true selfless person.He gives me so much without even knowing it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tonight I am going to go home and tell him how much I appreciate the little things and how much I truly love him because I am not the only one which this disease affects and too often it's something I forget.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it all boils down to it Valentine's Day is not about material things it about spending quality time with a loved one and making the special person in your life feel one in a million.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Valentine's Day </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">xxx</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Arthritis-Network/151523674887711">Find us on Facebook</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-47138739558575211702011-02-13T11:51:00.000+00:002011-02-13T11:51:35.949+00:00A Girl’s Best Friend….<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep yep you've guessed it high heels are indeed a girls best friend.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m tiny coming in at just under 5 ft so heels should be really be my best friend but it fact the are my worst enemy. Well actually I tell a lie we have a love hate relationship.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Let’s talk about the love …..</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ0tkYe_3rfQ8mJjS7ldzDI_wWw-nI1BlaiwCXvt6xWuEoRUeVX4xGYjeeujCeFvdkbYy_lVp0CHUFTw_UScvVurchwDKJ0cbDrcZ5JaQbjtPygFEHtajcZEbEKvLZp8rruP5wN3JCx0/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJ0tkYe_3rfQ8mJjS7ldzDI_wWw-nI1BlaiwCXvt6xWuEoRUeVX4xGYjeeujCeFvdkbYy_lVp0CHUFTw_UScvVurchwDKJ0cbDrcZ5JaQbjtPygFEHtajcZEbEKvLZp8rruP5wN3JCx0/s200/shoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am a shoe queen there is no doubt about it …I can’t walk down Grafton street without stopping in Fitzpatrick’s , BT or Aldo for just a “quick peek”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which usually involves spending about an hour going ohhh <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ahhh <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and planning how I am going to spend my next pay packet. My collection as I like to call it holds every type of shoe imaginable. I often spend my lunch time in work looking at fashion websites looking for shoes.</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now for the other side of my obsession … </i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you may be aware I have arthritis in pretty much every joint so this poses three problems </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heels make my joints ache not just the little joints in my feet but my hips & my back ... Heck let's be honest here it can even take a toll on my neck.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My feet range from a size 3 ½ on a good day to 5 ½ on a bad day. Lately I can’t fit my feet into my pretty little shoes. It’s beginning to bug me because I must keep several types, styles and sizes with me as I never know what size my feet will be.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pumps, ballet , flat shoes etc… while they are flat shoes they also pose a problem as my feet are too swollen so I can’t fit into them.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I’m out and about I usually resort to a good old comfy pair of runners…. Yep runners while they are comfy and spacious let’s face it they are far from attractive and quite simply they look awful with skinny jeans and dresses(Let’s not even go down that road).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve now reached the stage whereby I plan my outfit around my shoes depending on how my feet feel which in itself is annoying because I can’t wear what I want and then when the swelling subsides the shoes are too big for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Now back to the love hate relationship ….</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a little bit of luck recently I found a gorgeous pair of wedge heels actually I fell in love with them having spotted them on the fashionable Lisa who told me they were ever so comfy so off I went to purchase them and I haven’t looked back since. In fact I was away last weekend and received several compliments on my latest purchase. It’s amazing the confidence a pair of heels can.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLQsacsboMIQDUeSNfbjg5jYQyoAfPG1U1gG4TdWZt0arH-shGun2p4UQSVy5ja7rw9cVJrTq9W7OWE1AnrarG8zKLABm50VaDJ9Aa1ugzU85v7ir_OekigbULPajNMs_rFoYp6C_RNc/s1600/kiss-louboutin-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLQsacsboMIQDUeSNfbjg5jYQyoAfPG1U1gG4TdWZt0arH-shGun2p4UQSVy5ja7rw9cVJrTq9W7OWE1AnrarG8zKLABm50VaDJ9Aa1ugzU85v7ir_OekigbULPajNMs_rFoYp6C_RNc/s200/kiss-louboutin-300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love to buy shoes but it hasn’t registered with my brain that I can no longer wear fashionable shoes in fact I think my boyfriends sister has worn most of heels more times than I have. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish someone would design a fashionable range of shoes I’m sure most people whether they have arthritis or not would fork out a few extra quid for a comfy yet stylish shoes. So calling all shoe designers please please please design FASHIONABLE shoes that won’t cripple my feet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-41334613056066329302011-01-18T17:43:00.001+00:002011-04-17T12:20:44.368+01:00Let's Dance with Arthritis<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-hWTwvW-LB41hzcgyZjagIix7VDLkoCTu5DXRWmRu9qfhjFdPiAUnJeSuMkkk3jGDVeQPLNq3LHw77RexWD9axb1L_3i2rt1BCvrpZN14WIicboCr9iCWY-Y-ZQSYCjJXkePQs-sqU/s1600/Let%2527s+Dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B-hWTwvW-LB41hzcgyZjagIix7VDLkoCTu5DXRWmRu9qfhjFdPiAUnJeSuMkkk3jGDVeQPLNq3LHw77RexWD9axb1L_3i2rt1BCvrpZN14WIicboCr9iCWY-Y-ZQSYCjJXkePQs-sqU/s1600/Let%2527s+Dance.jpg" /></span></span></a><br />
<div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Saturday saw the kick off of the </span></span><a href="http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=136" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">‘Let’s Dance’</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> workshops. Well I have to say I wasn’t disappointed. Upon arrival we had a chance to mingle over tea and coffee which was a great ice breaker. Our instructor Brian Redmond is a 3 times “All Ireland” ballroom champion, “All Ireland” show dance champion and he was also an “All Ireland” youth Latin American champion. He definitely understands the needs of dancers but I was worried he might not understand the needs of a person living with arthritis…. How wrong was I? From the second I arrived in the ballroom I was put totally at ease.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The class itself was designed specifically for people with arthritis and Brian himself was trained in arthritis management by a physiotherapist. He also told us that his dad has arthritis. I think both of these aspects really played a part in his understanding of movement and arthritis and definitely came to bear on how this class was designed. Some of the steps were even redesigned so that they are comfortable for a person with arthritis to do.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Brian taught us two styles of dance – Salsa and the Waltz. The salsa which is my personal favourite was fabulous! I left the class with the steps playing over and over in my head. I was surprised how quick and easy it was to pick up too. Brian breaks the dance down into the basic steps making it easy for anyone to learn. Once the music started playing, the class really got moving around the dance floor. The class was without doubt the right style and pace for people with arthritis.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Finally the class finished with the waltz. I was worried about this one given the traditional ‘hold’ puts a lot of pressure on the upper body. I need not have been worried however as the first step we were taught was an adjusted hold which is a lot lower, thereby reducing the pressure any one of the joints.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Before I knew it the class was over. So what was the highlight? The fact that I learnt to dance while </span></span><a href="http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=50" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">exercising </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">and I didn’t realize it – Now that’s what I call a genius idea!! In the cold winter months I think this will definitely be my preferred method of keeping these joints moving!</span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">The ‘Let’s Dance’ workshops continue throughout the country. For more information, click</span></span><a href="http://www.arthritisireland.ie/news/newsItem.php?id=136" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px; margin-bottom: 11px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 11px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-14355890137560218852010-11-24T11:55:00.000+00:002010-11-24T11:55:48.256+00:00Laughter the best medicine ???<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKOrRjD9aH7ZuOqur4ypLls2Cmp9xMBEMyfI_KSuQqB8gF_wwx88OswYAGylQWwqk-NbvLv00AGsjzE3TrzliIpMtvYe0Xe8ypMx7l9-eSgS4w0O2ea3MX_YL15B3fQ8jM0kFpJ6m_MY/s1600/ice+skating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKOrRjD9aH7ZuOqur4ypLls2Cmp9xMBEMyfI_KSuQqB8gF_wwx88OswYAGylQWwqk-NbvLv00AGsjzE3TrzliIpMtvYe0Xe8ypMx7l9-eSgS4w0O2ea3MX_YL15B3fQ8jM0kFpJ6m_MY/s1600/ice+skating.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Yesterday started off as just your average day I’m still feeling a little under the weather so I was having a lazy morning . Made myself a cuppa and I went back to bed to catch up on the latest episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives. Not long after I was tucked up in bed I received a text from a friend to see if I wanted to go for a bite to eat.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">We met at one for lunch at </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Michie</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> Sushi which was the perfect way to start the afternoon the food was fab afterwards we strolled over to a local cafe for some hot chocolate and a chance to have a a bit of a catch up. Pondering what to do for the rest of the day we decided to go to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Dundrum</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> shopping center for some ice skating. A quick visit to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">pennys</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> for some extra socks to keep my feet warm we were ready to skate.</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> As a child I loved to Rollerblade I had no fear I would zoom down the hill without a second thought so naturally I love to ice skate.For that one hour I thought I was a child again & I managed not to fall or more to point avoid the children who whizzed around with no fear until the fell but within seconds jumped back up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">After the hour I was tired and cold but for that one hour I put that thought to the back to my mind and concentrated on having fun. Afterwards we went to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Hamleys</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> toy store and stopped at the new </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Xbox</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Kinect</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">which I enjoyed a bit too much and we finished the day off with Dublin’s best chips </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Burdocks</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> Yum.....<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">This morning I’m paying the price for my eventful day but you know what ...? It was </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">sooooo</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"> worth it ... I had a ball in fact I had the most fun I’ve had in ages....it was a day filled with laughter & fun. Laughter really can be the best medicine!</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Arthritis-Network/151523674887711"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>Click me to find the Young Arthritis Network on </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>Facebook</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b> </b></span></a><b><br />
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</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="mailto:youngarthritis@arthritisireland.ie"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>Contact us via email by clicking this link</b></span></a></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-29658522607166891582010-11-15T18:56:00.001+00:002010-11-15T19:13:41.603+00:00The pain freeze<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq6-U-ElZypq1FVZAWiey6kTpj8_bvtRW1DqgW8die2Sn7pR2EEdQXnXLst7mA6pXNis5Y9PsBRCkHqbJuo9JD64iQPV-1s6y2TPo27RC4wPqZIpocqKXXCd_Bml9INcfmOVL66Fvt5Y/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq6-U-ElZypq1FVZAWiey6kTpj8_bvtRW1DqgW8die2Sn7pR2EEdQXnXLst7mA6pXNis5Y9PsBRCkHqbJuo9JD64iQPV-1s6y2TPo27RC4wPqZIpocqKXXCd_Bml9INcfmOVL66Fvt5Y/s200/Untitled.png" width="123" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The silence of the night makes the past hour feel longer I'm alone in my apartment in the middle of a flare up I feel awful and alone. Its late to late to call anyone I’m trying to distract myself from the intense pain I feel in both legs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">My journey home from work is a short fifteen minute walk but today it took 35 min. It started off with a struggle on my crutches trying to reach the nearest bus stop approx 750m away, today it took me twenty five minutes to get there by the time I reached the bus stop I was exhausted. When I reached home I thought I was going to pass out with the pain so I collapsed on the couch unable to move. Luckily my boyfriend was on hand and made dinner before he carried me into bed where I have been since 7pm unable to move.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Today was my first day back at work after three days sick leave to say I was embarrassed is an understatement my colleagues never saw me use a crutch before as my legs are very rarely a problem . Work were great everyone offered to help me even though for most of the day I was stubborn I didn't wanna ask for help.By 3.30 I was exhausted and didn't have any energy it was the little things I found hard going to the printer and making myself a cuppa thankfully they all knew I have an addiction to tea and I was supplied with several cups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">I woke an hour ago by pain rushing though my body depriving my body of much needed sleep my knees and ankles are warm, sore & inflamed easily twice the size they were a few hours ago. My legs feel like cement, I can’t move them, it’s impossible.Usually I curl into the comforting fetal position to sleep I cant tonight in fact I cant do much I feel useless. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">So now I’m wide awake I can’t move just a few hours ago I was able to move a few steps without my crutches so foolishly I left them in the sitting room. I’m thirsty and in need of a glass of water so I try to move using all my energy I try to get out of bed but the pain is horrific and so I lie in silence waiting for the morning to come minutes seem like hours. My body is shattered but pain will not allow me drift asleep its impossible to get comfortable each time I move it hurt’s. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Its times like this I find the having arthritis a nightmare which myself and many other young people must endure . I feel angry that I can’t do a thing I try to stay positive but the longer I'm awake the more positivity dwindles into despair and I enter into battle with my body while it battles with me . It wears me down and down as my body get increasingly tired I begin to drift into a restless sleep but minutes later I am woken by pain once again .</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">I know I will make it though the night but right now it doesn't feel like it will. Knowing I have work in the morning I desperately want to get some sleep as I know tiredness will only add to my problems . I took my weekly dose of methrexate yesterday all ready my mouth is covered in mouth ulcers my tongue is swollen I must easily have ten.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">I’ve never felt so alone while many of friends went out tonight I had to stay at home because I can’t move let alone walk. My friends are gone to a gig, something I used to enjoy. I too had planned to go but having arthritis means sometimes things don’t work out. I need to think and plan and re plan. Tonight was no question of that being impossible. On a regular night out when I walk into a bar the first thing I look for is not a drink but a seat . Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love music and most of all to dance but for the past while I haven’t had the energy to dance. I feel like I’ve lost something within me, a little sparkle that comes out when I dance. Today I am 24 trapped in a 94 year old body.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Arthritis-Network/151523674887711">Click here to find the Young Arthritis Network on Facebook</a></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="GA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8991889024498596472.post-30223618569447344802010-11-07T19:12:00.000+00:002010-11-07T19:12:12.558+00:00My lotto win<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<h3 style="line-height: 150%;"><span lang="GA" style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"> The Lotto reached 16 million the second highest jackpot in Irish history so I like many others went to my local shop and played a few lines laughing with I would do with my winnings if I was lucky enough to win.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></h3><div><span lang="GA" style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>On the way back it was beginning to get dark so like every night since I was a ten I make the same wish on the first star I see twinkle twinkle little star I wish someone could find the big C a cure for arthritis.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>I nickname my mornings a battle a battle which I win most days. You may ask how do I win ? Well it’s simple I get up out of bed I may struggle but I get there I make my way to work just like everyone else and I win. Sometimes its easier for me to let the pain take over but I won’t because if I do arthritis win’s and takes over. Childish as it seems it’s my motivation and a silly little game I play ever morning but for me it works. Its putting one foot in front of the other and I get there granted some days it takes longer than others but I make it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>So it’s Sunday morning and for the first time in 15 years I woke up with relatively no pain a strange feeling so I dance around the house like some crazed lunatic but I don’t care I can move and it's not even 9 am ….</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>I feel like it’s a dream it may only be one morning but for me this is better than winning the lotto if you don’t have arthritis then this might be the difficult to understand but words cant describe how I feel. I’m on top of the world I truly believe right now I am the happiest girl in the world. </i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 28px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>This feeling may only be short live but for me this is motivation to stay strong and positive because I believe someone will find a cure for arthritis and It will happen in my time.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0