Photograph Testimonial: continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis
Published Jan 3, 2019 • By Louise Bollecker
Claire's Testimonial
Continuing to work with rheumatiod arthritis
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.
This testimonial is part of the graduation project of Gaëlle Regnier, a student in 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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4 comments
I am going to tag some members who may be interested in reading this testimonial... have any of you ever faced similar difficulties regarding work and RA? Disability and RA?
@CarolM @notup! @Margarita @achy38 @karm!nR @Jucompton13 @rtr097u1 @Joemerrill @zrjsval @Mookie5000 @Kerri4 @mcheney1214 @Juliekay0804 @Coco1933 @Mbuletza @Jennylovescats @A.bach @dkaglear @lissjill55
Hello... I enjoyed reading this testimonial. My ex-wife suffers from severe RA in her hands and feet. She was a dental hygienist and basically was let go because of her RA... she still temps sometimes here and there, but she is no mostly cleaning houses... so sad because she went from being a well-paid professional (as a dental hygienist) to now struggling to make ends-meet because of her need to work a lower-paying job as a house cleaner (even though it is still very hard on her because of her RA)... not that there is anything wrong with cleaning houses- do not take it that way - just her bills and mortgage is substantial... trying to convince her to sell house and apply for disability, so she can relax also.
@68padres accidentally added you to a post - new to this site, will get it straight ;/
It is great that you work in an environment that supports you and considers you an asset despite having RA. For me, I eventually lost my full-time career job because of RA because I was slower in doing my job duties and the company only cared about profit and not the fact that I had worked for them for over 30 years. I am still working, but part-time making less than 1/2 the salary I used to make in my career - I have not found a job that wants to hire me in my career. I try not to think that it is because of the RA, but maybe it is.
