myRA story
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 29. My whole world as I knew it was crumbling around me. I was in denial thought that I was too young to have such a devastating disease.
At the age of 31 I had my hip replaced and my ankle restructured since Rheumatoid Arthritis had done aggressive damage to my joints. I feared that I will not be able to care for my three young children, nor will I be able to do all the fun activities as a family unit. That reality hit me like a brick on my soul, I suddenly went into fighting mode, and stopped feeling sorry for myself. I had two options, fight or give up. The latter was not an option!
Daily life and future plans suddenly have to include a chronic illness that is as unwelcome as it is unpredictable. Adapting family life, work, and relationships to the reality of pain and fatigue is a daily fact of life with RA. Although effective treatments are available, there is no cure for those affected; Rheumatoid Arthritis becomes the adversary of a lifetime.
Here I am today fighting for this cause to Help Fight RA. Although Rheumatoid Arthritis never goes away, with aggressive treatment many patients with RA can get their lives back. My promise as the Founder and CEO of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, Help Fight RA, is to ensure that people living with RA have the means and the care that is needed to live a sustainable life, and together we will “Help Fight RA”.
This is a morbid disease. I have RA, but RA doesn’t have me!
This is myRA story. Please share yours.
Sandra Buchholz, Founder & CEO
Sandra Buchholz, Founder & CEO