Happy Sunday! Hope you’re all having a good weekend. Today’s feature on Spoonie Spotlight is the awesome Kendra, also known as Kenji! Spoonie Spotlight is my way to use my platform to share the stories of others living with arthritis or an arthritis-related condition. The point is to share the realities of living with arthritis and to make others’ voices heard. (New posts every 2 weeks.) If you would like to participate, fill out the form!
What’s your diagnosis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis
When were you diagnosed?
May 2014
How long have you had symptoms?
about 2 years
Have you been limited in any way from your illness? If so, how?
Yes, work, working out, general life. I had to quit my job, I can’t do any of the workouts I used to do, and I have lost most of my strength in my wrists and hands so I am dependent on others when carrying things, cooking, etc.
What’s your story?
I had symptoms for a little over a year at the time of diagnosis. I was in constant pain in my feet, ankles, wrists, hands, shoulders, and knees. I had visited a few doctors to help with the pain and had a variety of diagnosis from gout to tendonitis. I was sick of visiting doctors and not getting help until one day I was unable to move at all. About a week later I was officially diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (May 2014).
How has your illness changed your life?
I have had to change the way I go about my days. I am limited on certain aspects and I am restricted on what type of jobs I can perform.
What are your goals for the future? (Not related to your health)
I would love to grow my blog and expand into the blogging community. I would also love to finally finish schooling and advance my career.
What are your goals for the future? (Health related)
I hope to find a medication that will help curb my disease. I would also like to be rid of the weight I gained from the medication.
Do you consider yourself handicapped or disabled? Why or why not?
I would say mildly disabled. While I can still support myself and I can do mostly everything myself, I still need help with getting things done around the house and on a bad day I am really no help to anybody.
What would you like readers to take from your experience?
My goal is to share my story with others and offer support. No one understands what you are going through unless they have gone through it themselves. I know with myself, the hardest part of dealing with this disease is being so misunderstood. It is nice to have a friend who gets you.
Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
I think RA is really misunderstood because most people think it is something that JUST affects your joints. I know people also think it's something reserved to older people as well. There definitely needs to be more information out there.