A Letter to Arthritis
Dear Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis,
You have caused me so much pain, anxiety, depression, illness, isolation, and guilt.
Thank you. You've made me a better, stronger person than I ever would have been without you.
I lhave earnt to push past pain and function as normally as I can because people can't see you hurting me: They don't understand the chronic pain. You showed me not to have self pity because as bad as you are, I could have it much worse! I've always felt guilty to ask for a break, as if I'm ruining the plans, so I simply don't say anything now. (Provided it is not extreme pain.)
My whole life you've made me feel odd, weird, like a cry baby for complaining sometimes when the pain got serious, and like I was alone. You isolated me from other children my age because I couldn't always participate, and when I tried you made me run awkwardly and slowly which made the children (to my horror) call me 'Limpy' and 'Faker' and other names. But thank you for that: I matured much faster and became accepting of all people. These experiences also gave me patience, compassion and a want to help.
As much as I thank though, it does not mean I'd like you to stay much longer. In fact, as you know we've been trying to get rid of your presence. I do not actually like you or your actions. We are all baffled why all the medications we have tried have not gotten you to go away! I don't think you understand that the treatments are not supposed to be a treat for you, as they're certainly no holidy for me. I don't ask for you to be punished, as you have punished me since I was a baby. I just ask that you go away nicely. Is that so much to ask?
Sincerly,
Elizabeth
You have caused me so much pain, anxiety, depression, illness, isolation, and guilt.
Thank you. You've made me a better, stronger person than I ever would have been without you.
I lhave earnt to push past pain and function as normally as I can because people can't see you hurting me: They don't understand the chronic pain. You showed me not to have self pity because as bad as you are, I could have it much worse! I've always felt guilty to ask for a break, as if I'm ruining the plans, so I simply don't say anything now. (Provided it is not extreme pain.)
My whole life you've made me feel odd, weird, like a cry baby for complaining sometimes when the pain got serious, and like I was alone. You isolated me from other children my age because I couldn't always participate, and when I tried you made me run awkwardly and slowly which made the children (to my horror) call me 'Limpy' and 'Faker' and other names. But thank you for that: I matured much faster and became accepting of all people. These experiences also gave me patience, compassion and a want to help.
As much as I thank though, it does not mean I'd like you to stay much longer. In fact, as you know we've been trying to get rid of your presence. I do not actually like you or your actions. We are all baffled why all the medications we have tried have not gotten you to go away! I don't think you understand that the treatments are not supposed to be a treat for you, as they're certainly no holidy for me. I don't ask for you to be punished, as you have punished me since I was a baby. I just ask that you go away nicely. Is that so much to ask?
Sincerly,
Elizabeth
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