One of the most important lessons my life has taught me, especially over the last 13 years, is the need the keep moving forward. Unlike a broken leg, a sore tooth or a bout of gastro, a chronic illness is [usually] not going away (until a cure is found). This is not to say that it won't improve at times or go into remission - sometimes it will. However, even if it does, you will always live with the fear of its return - as it always will. It sits there under the surface, as a reminder not to get too excited about your period of good health, as it could be wisked from under you at any moment. Living with a chronic illness is a marathon, not a sprint. It is not something that is over as fast
As the 12th October comes around again, I am reflecting on what the day means to me, and how this meaning has changed over the years. Following my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in 2002, I spent my first couple of World Arthritis Day’s congratulating myself on simply surviving. My pain, limitation and emotions were still extremely raw, so it was a day where I revisited my grief and tried hard to remind myself that although this was hard, I was getting through it, one moment at a time, one hour at a time, one day at a time. Over time, as I felt stronger in my ability to manage this diagnosis in my life, the 12th October became a day no longer about me and my struggles, but a day to educat
Those of you who know me personally, will know that I love my bright lips. Whether I am doing the school drop off or going out for dinner, I am usually sporting my favourite lipstick. What you may not know, is that I don't paint my lips for fashion reasons, but for self care! Generally, the brighter the lipstick the more pain I am in! With a family to look after and a busy life to live and enjoy, it is not an option to fall in a heap and stay in bed. Well, not often anyway! So, regardless of how I am feeling, I get up each morning, 'put on my face' and no matter how much pain I am in, how fatigued I feel or how disturbed my sleep was the night before, I am prepared for the day. My bright p
