HOPE For Arthritis Sufferers

"ARTHRITIS is not a major cause of mortality like heart disease or cancer," says Dr. Fatima Mili, "but it has a great impact on the quality of life." Arthritis can affect all aspects of a person's life.  Just what are some of the problems confronting those suffering with arthritis?  Is it possible to cope? 

Katia, aged 28, from Italy, says: "Since being diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 20, my whole life has changed.  I've had to quit my job and give up my career in the full-time ministry because of the pain." Pain is a universal problem among arthritis sufferers. Alan, aged 63, from England, says:  "You always have pain somewhere  in your body, though it may be moderate." Fatigue is another challenge.  "Even if you could put up the with pain and swelling," says Sarah, aged 21, "the tiredness is unbearable." 

Emotional Pain

According to 6-year-old Setsuko, of Japan, struggling each day with chronic pain can also "wear you out emotionally and mentally."  Why, simply trying to grip a pencil or the telephone can be a challenge!  Kazumi, aged 47, laments: "Even ordinary things that a child can do have become  impossible for me."  Sixty-year-old Janice, who can no longer spend much time on her feet, says:  "It's discouraging because I can't do what I used to."

Such limitations can cause frustration  and negative feelings about oneself.  Gaku, aged 27, is one of Jehovah's Witnesses and says:  "Not being able to share fully in the evangelizing work or fulfill congregation assignments makes me feel that as a person I have no value whatsoever." Francesca, who has battled with arthritis since the age of two, speaks of "being sucked deeper and deeper into a whirlpool of despair."  Such despair can have adverse effects. Joyce, a Witness from South Africa, admits that she began isolating herself from Christian meetings."  "I just could not face seeing anybody." She explains. 

A sufferer may also have much anxiety regarding the future-fear of becoming immobile and dependent on others, fear of being left without a care giver, fear of falling and breaking bones, fear of not being able to provide for one's family.  Yoko, aged 52, admits: "When I see deformities occurring, I'd become fearful that they would increase."

Family members too may suffer emotional pain, being confronted every day with the suffering of their loved one.   Some couples may even experience  severe marital strain. A woman in England, named Denise, says:  "After 15 years of marriage, my husband announced, ' I can't put up with your arthritis anymore!'  He left me and our 5 -year-old daughter." 

Arthritis, thus presents huge challenges both to sufferers and their families. Nevertheless, many are successfully coping!  Let us take a look at how some are doing so.

HOPE For Arthritis Sufferers/Respecting Your Limitations

From the Awake!  magazine