This is an interesting video from the Arthritis Foundation that I wanted to share with you all. Let me know what you think!
Until next time,
S.P.
I learned recently about an elementary school in Ithaca that is educating its students about disabilities. One fourth-grade class at Cayuga Heights Elementary had a visit from a woman with RA and got to learn more about the disease:
“The project’s goals are many — to help children learn what it’s like to live with a disability, move beyond stereotypes about people with disabilities, learn how to interact and be friends with children with disabilities, and find out how all people are similar yet unique” (The Ithaca Journal).
I applaud Cayuga Heights for this project. There are so many stereotypes out there about people with disabilities. People expect you to be disfigured and in a wheelchair. They don’t understand invisible illnesses such RA.
I cannot even begin to tell you the number of times I’ve been questioned about my handicap parking pass or whether I am really in pain. It may be all in my head, but I feel that often teachers and classmates think I am making up an excuse when I say I can’t do something because of a painful flare-up. Just because you can’t see the pain, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Unfortunately, those that don’t live with chronic illnesses like RA don’t really understand that. Again, this may be in my head, but I feel like I constantly have to justify that I am not lying about the pain.
It is because of all this that I feel it is extremely important for others to learn about RA and other invisible illnesses. It is through this knowledge that they can learn to accept and better appreciate those that live with chronic illnesses day in and day out. The younger people learn about these illnesses, the better in my book.
Until next time,
S.P.
I’ve had some readers tell me they are interested in learning about RA and ethnicity, so I found this video. It takes a closer look at a part of RA treatment that many researchers ignore. Enjoy.
Until next time,
S.P.
