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A few years ago, my career was on the fast track at one of the
nation's top ad agencies specializing in non-profit fund raising. I was newly
married, my husband and I both had challenging careers, we traveled as much
as possible, we had a new home, love, friends and family. My life was full,
full of challenges. Yet, I was unprepared for the greatest challenge of all.
Maybe I should have seen it coming, after all, my back started
hurting when I was 15. Slowly, over the years, my health problems had been
escalating and my physical abilities had been chipped away. The pain kept
intruding one day, I was unable to wash my own car or clean the house. It
finally caught up with me. As I entered my 30's, I was finding it difficult
to maintain the pace at work. Over time, I had pretty much given up any
socializing as I was always trying to find another moment to rest and regain
energy. My world kept getting smaller.
Eventually, I tried part-time work, thinking that if I slowed
down and changed my lifestyle I'd feel better. But it was too late. I was hit
with a full-blown health crisis, unrelenting exhaustion and constant pain. I
gave up my career thinking that rest and the elimination of job stress would
restore me. At home, I became bed-ridden and my health continued to
deteriorate. After a seven-month search I finally received a diagnosis of
systemic lupus, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. A backbreaking load of
arthritis.
I knew one of the prescriptions for fibromyalgia was gentle
exercise. I called the Arthritis Foundation and I signed up for one of their
"Twinges in the Hinges" warm water exercise classes.
Joining the class was humbling, as I knew I would be the
youngest participant by 30 if not 40 years. It was also an act of faith,
faith that I would have the stamina to participate, faith that I would
benefit from the movement.
At the first class, I met my classmates and observed their
limitations. Tentatively, we entered the pool and began exercising together.
In the weeks that followed, some of the pains began to ease for
many of us and the range of movement expanded. One day, as I prepared for
class, I was suddenly filled with joy. I was surrounded by women who had the
courage and determination to live peacefully with their bodies. My load
lightened and the burdens of my illness eased. Nine months later, I saw an
announcement in the Arthritis Foundation newsletter for a systemic lupus
self-help course. I signed up immediately. This class helped me to change the
course of my life. Pacing, energy conservation, disease management; these
were all techniques that we learned in the course.
Once again, joy is part of my life. A year ago my husband and I
were blessed with the birth of our daughter, Sarah Isabel. And today I am
moving from disability to ability. There may be no cure - not yet anyway -
but thanks to the programs of the Arthritis Foundation I am on the path to
recovery. They helped me to reclaim my life and to live with hope.
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