Photograph Testimonial: Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis

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JosephineO

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03/01/2019 at 09:42

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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989 comments posted | 39 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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Claire's Testimonial
Continuing to work with rheumatiod arthritis

Testimonial polyarthritis Claire

The disease started at the age of 33, quite young, with foot pain. I couldn’t find any shoes that would fit me anymore, I was in a lot of pain. It then spread to the upper limbs. It starts by the sensation pushing, sometimes upwards, sometimes downwards.

I consulted my doctor immediately but it took us a long time to reach a diagnosis. Medications were then put in place with a lot of effort but very little success. We operate on a trial and error basis, day by day.

I have always evolved in suffering, while wanting to be a fighter. I never wanted to stop working totally. I have taken many breaks in my career while wanting to keep one foot in the stirrup, have a professional life, contacts, a career, all combined with my family life.

I am now a young 62-year-old retiree, I have been suffering from the disease for about 30 years, but I no longer have a relapse. The chronic pains remain very present. I especially find the pain even worse in the morning as I feel very rusty. As the day progresses, the joints become a little more flexible and you feel better in the evening than in the morning.

From a social point of view, I was very fortunate to have worked in the field of special education. The human character and solidarity being much more present than in companies. This has been a tremendous support throughout my professional career.

This testimonial is part of the graduation project of Gaëlle Regnier, a student of photography at the Agnès Varda School of Photography and Visual Techniques in Brussels. She chose chronic pain as the theme of this photo report to highlight the patients and their struggle.

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JosephineO

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07/01/2019 at 10:13

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JosephineO

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Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

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989 comments posted | 39 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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I am going to tag some members who may be interested in reading this testimonial :)

@MandyG‍ @moosue‍ @JazzyC‍ @johnna‍ @Toots306‍ @hartersuk‍ @Casacapa‍ @Nytsom‍ @Annie65‍ @1fedup‍ @Mischa‍ @Cakelady‍ @Shamira‍ @b.lane‍ @SparklingGem‍ @Poogles‍ @Sharpj1‍ @hmackay‍ @Jackywacky‍ @LuckyLucy‍ @Dida78‍ @Jill884‍ @FOXY15‍ @Jane52‍ @TaraJ#‍ @LeanneTucker123‍ @SallyKyns‍ @yellowsun‍ @SparklingGem‍ @Pippadog‍ @brandx.fone‍ @Angie1962‍ @elisha1995‍ @Eshears‍ @Jantee‍ @Annfoster59‍ @Boobam‍

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Josephine, Community Manager

Photograph Testimonial: Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-rheumatoid-arthritis/photograph-testimonial-continuing-to-work-with-deforming-polyarthritis-2670 2019-01-07 10:13:25

Shamira

07/01/2019 at 10:52

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Shamira

Last activity on 21/12/2020 at 23:14

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18 comments posted | 10 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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Very inspiring indeed. Thank you!

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SparklingGem

07/01/2019 at 11:06

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SparklingGem

Last activity on 22/10/2022 at 11:15

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25 comments posted | 19 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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A great way to illustrate the ups ,downs,hoops and hurdles of RA, I admire your philosophy in dealing with chronic pain.

Jill884

07/01/2019 at 14:21

Jill884

Last activity on 05/01/2024 at 15:55

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10 comments posted | 6 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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@JosephineO thanks for the highlight of somone else's story. Very interesting to have understanding from work does help.

kind regards

Jillx

Unregistered member

07/01/2019 at 16:56

Thank you for the tag. People don't always realise how much RA affects work and I am now lucky to have a boss who understands what I go through and it does make all the difference, I was lucky to now get one a week off to have a recovery day as my job can be very stressful. I am glad you also managed to keep working and you're very strong for doing so.

Regards

Elisha

veronica

09/01/2019 at 10:01

veronica

Last activity on 07/03/2023 at 14:35

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10 comments posted | 1 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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@elisha1995 It makes such a difference to have a boss that understands...some people seem to think that we are faking our chronic illnesses and it is very demoralising :/

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Veronica

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10/01/2019 at 13:04

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SparklingGem

Last activity on 22/10/2022 at 11:15

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25 comments posted | 19 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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Yes that's so true. I had always being hardworking and reliable in my job so when my illness got reactivated no one could understand the changes as to why I wasn't able to keep up, how I was now so slow, how I wasn't able to do some things whereas before I could. My GP even sent letters to explain but afraid it fell on deaf ears.I sought medical retirement in the end but if people's responses had being a little more helpful, kinder and less negative I probably would have soldered on abit longer.I am happier now and it's taken nine months with some medication changes that am feeling much better and also moving around better to.

Unregistered member

11/01/2019 at 09:46

Well Done to you Claire, people do not understand how difficult it is. I'm pleased you have an understanding manager, they are a rarity.

Bridget1

16/01/2019 at 15:18

Bridget1

Last activity on 25/10/2019 at 10:34

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6 comments posted | 2 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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Amazing it like looking at myself 1st time I have seen it someone else the same. Took years before I was diganoised also kept changing shoes socks nothing helped. Still sore but at least I know not in my head as I was told by consultants before.Thank you my dear.

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Bridget Twomey

JazzyC

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16/01/2019 at 16:11

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JazzyC

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Last activity on 04/05/2024 at 07:55

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293 comments posted | 11 in the Living with rheumatoid arthritis group

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Thank you for sharing your story ,it is so important that other people realise that there are others out there who understand so you don't feel alone. What is it they say a problem shared is a problem halved

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Janet Collins

Photograph Testimonial: Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis

Claire's TestimonialContinuing to work with rheumatiod arthritis

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Claire's Testimonial
Continuing to work with rheumatiod arthritis