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Photograph Testimonial: Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis

Published 3 Jan 2019 • Updated 28 Oct 2020 • By Louise Bollecker

"I have always evolved in suffering, while wanting to be a fighter."

Photograph Testimonial: Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis

 

Claire's Testimonial

Continuing to work with rheumatoid arthritis

 

Testimonial polyarthritis Claire

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.

1

Carenity

avatar Louise Bollecker

Author: Louise Bollecker, Community Manager France

Community Manager of Carenity in France, Louise is also editor-in-chief of the Health Magazine to provide articles, videos and testimonials that focus on patients' experiences and making their voices heard. With a... >> Learn more

14 comments


JosephineO • Community manager
on 07/01/2019

I am going to tag some members who may be interested in reading this testimonial :)

@MandyG‍ @moosue‍ @JazzyC‍ @johnna‍ @Toots306‍ @hartersuk‍ @Casacapa‍ @Nytsom‍ @Annie65‍ @1fedup‍ @Mischa‍ @Cakelady‍ @Shamira‍ @b.lane‍ @SparklingGem‍ @Poogles‍ @Sharpj1‍ @hmackay‍ @Jackywacky‍ @LuckyLucy‍ @Dida78‍ @Jill884‍ @FOXY15‍ @Jane52‍ @TaraJ#‍ @LeanneTucker123‍ @SallyKyns‍ @yellowsun‍ @SparklingGem‍ @Pippadog‍ @brandx.fone‍ @Angie1962‍ @elisha1995‍ @Eshears‍ @Jantee‍ @Annfoster59‍ @Boobam‍ 


Shamira
on 07/01/2019
Very inspiring indeed. Thank you!

SparklingGem
on 07/01/2019

A great way to illustrate the ups ,downs,hoops and hurdles of RA, I admire your philosophy in dealing with chronic pain.


Jill884
on 07/01/2019

@JosephineO thanks for the highlight of somone else's story. Very interesting to have understanding from work does help.

kind regards

Jillx


avatar
Unregistered member
on 07/01/2019

Thank you for the tag. People don't always realise how much RA affects work and I am now lucky to have a boss who understands what I go through and it does make all the difference, I was lucky to now get one a week off to have a recovery day as my job can be very stressful. I am glad you also managed to keep working and you're very strong for doing so.

Regards

Elisha

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