For Arthritis Awareness month, I wanted to do something special. I wanted to know how those closest to me, see my disease.
My son, a typical almost 15 year old, laughed and said he’d rather not answer my questions. He does spend his time asking me questions though, which I love. He wants to see the fluid in my hip, calls me “Kobe” when I’m all taped up, and will ask me point blank about my disease. I always know where I stand with him.
My daughter and husband can be a little more guarded with me. I had initially only asked my husband to answer questions for my blog but when my daughter found out, she begged to answer my questions too. 💜💜💜
Below are the answers that my daughter, Gigi, soon to be 13, gave. I’ll feature my husband’s answers tomorrow.
How would you describe Rheumatoid Arthritis? As if you were telling your friends.
1) I would describe RA as basically a disease that causes your joints to ache, that can sometimes make it harder to use your joints.
Do you understand my disease? Are there questions you have that you haven’t asked? Why?
2) I understand the concept of it pretty well, I just will never understand the pain you actually experience unless I get the disease.
What do you think the worst parts of RA are?
3) I think the worst part is definitely the pain, because it obviously hurts and sometimes you can’t do things as easily as I could do them.
Do you ever feel frustrated, sad, and/or angry that I have RA?
4) I sometimes feel upset and angry because I don’t think you deserved to have this disease, and I feel upset because of all the pain you’re usually in, it’s hard to experience because I can’t do anything to make the pain go away.
Do you think your life is or will be better because of your first-hand experience living with someone with a Chronic Illness?
5) Yes I do think that, because if I ever get the disease I’ll know how to handle it a little easier, and if I ever am friends with someone with that disease I can kind of understand what they are going through.
Are you ever worried that you’ll develop a chronic illness because you’re related to me?
6) I am worried about it sometimes because I would not want to go through all of the pain or mainly have to deal with all of it.